How to vote

There are three easy ways you can vote. Most people vote in person at a polling station, but you can also apply to vote by post, or nominate someone else to vote on your behalf.

Further information

You can download forms to register for a postal or proxy vote at the bottom of the page. You can either return the paper form by post, or email a scanned version to us. 

Voting at a polling station

If you're registered to vote you will get a poll card telling you where your polling station is, and when to go there.  This is for information only and you do not need to take it with you to vote.

On election day your polling station will be open between 7am and 10pm. Staff will give you your ballot paper and explain the voting process to you if you have any questions.

Voting by post

You can register to vote by post. Paperwork can be sent to any address, including overseas. Your ballot paper will usually be sent out about a week before election day.

Vote by proxy

A proxy vote is where someone else votes on your behalf. You have to give a reason why you are applying for a proxy vote, for example, if you will be away on holiday, or have a physical condition that prevents you leaving your home.

You can apply for a temporary proxy vote, or a permanent one on health, employment or educational grounds.

Anyone can be your proxy as long as they are eligible to vote in UK elections. You cannot be a proxy for more than two people at any one election, unless they are a close relative.

The deadline for applying for a proxy vote is normally one week before an election, but if you have a medical emergency, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote after this time.

Help for disabled voters

If you have disability that prevents you from completing a ballot paper on your own, you can take a friend or relative to the polling station to help you vote.

Facilities are provided to help voters with disabilities, including polling stations with level or ramped access; polling booths adapted for wheelchairs; large print ballot papers, and aids for blind voters.

Disabled people can also apply to vote by post, or by proxy. Voters with a disability can have a permanent proxy vote.

Mencap have created an easy read guide to voting in the general election. View the guide on the Mencap website.