Voter registration

Voter registration

This page provides information about registering to vote in the UK.

If your permanent home address is in the UK, you are allowed to register to vote in more than one place. You are able to register to vote at both your home and term-time addresses, if the addresses are in two different local authority areas. You can vote in local elections at both locations. However, in general elections, you'll only be able to vote in one.

If you are from the Republic of Ireland or you are a Commonwealth citizens you are entitled to register and vote in all elections in Britain. Citizens of a European Union country living in the UK, or a citizen of the Channel Islands or Isle of Man living in the UK, are entitled to register and vote in local and European elections.

For further information and to register to vote visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Where do I vote? 

Most people vote in person, but you can vote by post or by proxy.

If you choose to vote in person, you vote at your local polling station. You will have received a poll card in the post, which gives you the address of where this is. Please note: you do not need your poll card with you to vote.

Who do I vote for?

It’s up to you!

If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales, you will get to vote for one party (who have put forward a list of candidates), or an individual candidate standing as an independent. In Northern Ireland, you will rank your candidates in order of preference - a system called 'Single Transferable Vote'.

Voter ID

To cast your vote in the local elections on the 4th May 2023, you will need to show an accepted form of photographic identification. It needs to be the original document and not an image or photocopy. For a list of accepted documents, click here.

If you do not have accepted photo ID, you no longer look like the photo on your ID, or the name on your ID is different to your name on the electoral register, you can apply for a voter authority certificate. This is free, and will allow you to vote. To apply for this, click here. You will need your registered voting address, a recent digital photo, and your national insurance number.