You can register to vote usually in around 5 minutes, through the Government Website. This simple process will be submitted to your local authorities election team for processing, adding you to the electoral register.
Requirements
You must be aged 16 or over (or 14 or over in Scotland and Wales).
You must also be one of the following:
- a British citizen
- an Irish or EU citizen living in the UK
- a Commonwealth citizen who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission
- a citizen of another country living in Scotland or Wales who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission
Check which elections you’re eligible to vote in.
You can vote when you’re 18 or over. If you live in Scotland or Wales, you can vote in some elections when you’re 16 or over - check which elections you’re eligible to vote in.
You normally only need to register once - not for every election. You’ll need to register again if you’ve changed your name, address or nationality.
Click here to register to vote.
Applying for a Postal Vote
You can apply to vote by post in two ways, either by filling in a form or you can now apply online.
You’ll need:
- the address where you are registered to vote
- your National Insurance number or other identity documents, for example a passport
- the specific date of the election or referendum you want to make a postal vote, if you only want a one-off postal vote
You’ll also need to upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.
If you cannot provide a signature or one that always looks the same, you may be able to apply for a postal vote signature waiver within the service.
You might be asked for extra documents to identify you.
Please post your Postal Vote Application forms to your local Electoral Registration Office at:
Electoral Services
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
BA14 8JN
From 2 May 2024, Political Parties/Campaigners are no longer allowed to submit Postal Vote applications or ballot papers on your behalf, find out more here. Only voters, a family member or a designated carer will be able to hand in a postal vote.
Contact your local Electoral Registration Office.
Applying for a Proxy Vote.
If you’re unable to vote in person you can ask someone to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote.
You can only apply for a proxy vote under certain circumstances, including:
- being away on polling day
- having a medical issue or disability
- not being able to vote in person because of work or military service
Your proxy should be someone you trust to vote on your behalf. You’ll need to tell them which candidate (or referendum outcome) you want to vote for.
Since 31 October 2023 there have been changes to voting by proxy and applying to vote by proxy.
There is now a limit to how many people someone can act as a proxy for.
You can also apply online for some types of proxy vote. You cannot apply online if your application needs attesting or if you’re applying for an emergency proxy vote.
Apply for an emergency proxy vote
If the proxy vote deadline has passed you may be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote if any of the following apply:
- you cannot vote in person because of a medical emergency or disability
- you cannot vote in person because of your employment
- the photo ID you were planning on using to vote has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed
- you’ve not yet received a new or replacement photo ID you’ve ordered
You do not need to show photo ID to vote in person in all UK elections and referendums. Check if you need to bring a photo ID to vote.
In England, Scotland and Wales, you have until 5pm on the day of the election to apply.
Fill in a paper form to:
- apply to vote by emergency proxy based on your employment
- apply to vote by emergency proxy based on a medical emergency or disability
- apply to vote by emergency proxy because you do not have an available photo ID
Send it to your local Electoral Registration Office.
Find out more about voting below.
Voting by Proxy for someone else.
More information can be found at gov.uk.