How to vote
Last Updated: 5 May 2023
To vote at an election your name must be on the Register of Electors
Shortly before an election, we will send you a poll card which will tell you:
- the date of the election
- your elector number
- whether our records have you as voting in person or a postal voter
- the address of your polling station and polling hours, if you vote in person
- Poll cards for most elections will also contain a reminder for people who vote in person that they need to bring a photographic identity (ID) document to the polling station. The poll card will include a list of documents that can be accepted.
You don't need to bring your poll card with you to vote, but it may make it easier for polling station staff to find you on the register if you do.
Voting in person
The law around voting elections has changed. From 4 May 2023 onwards, voters at most elections need to bring photo ID to vote in person at a polling station.
If you don’t have photo ID, you can apply for a document called a Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm six working days before an election.
You don't need to bring your poll card with you to vote, but it may make it easier for polling station staff to find you on the register if you do.
What to expect when voting at a polling station
How to vote if you can't get to the polling station
If you can't attend your polling station on election day, you can apply to vote by post or apply to vote by proxy.
Voting by post
Your ballot papers will be sent to you before polling day.
How to complete your postal vote
The law has not changed for postal voters. You don't need photo ID to apply for a postal vote or to complete your ballot papers.
More information about postal voting, including how to apply for a postal vote
How to vote by proxy
This is where you have someone you trust (a friend or relative perhaps) cast your vote on your behalf. They can do this by visiting your polling station or they can apply to cast your vote by post.
More information about proxy voting, including how to apply for a proxy vote and postal proxy vote
What to expect if you are acting as someone’s proxy at a polling station
If you have a proxy vote and change your mind, or find you can go to the polling station after all, you can still go and vote yourself (bringing your photo ID), provided they have not already cast your vote or applied to cast it by post.
Voter ID for proxy voters
If your proxy goes to the polling station they will need to bring their own photo ID with them to cast your vote. They don’t need to bring your ID to the polling station.
The law around postal proxy voting hasn’t changed. Electors and their proxies do not need photo ID to apply for a postal proxy application or to complete ballot papers.