How to check if you are registered to vote and what you need to take to the polling station

British voters go to the polls to cast their vote in the 2024 general election and decide who should be the next prime minister.

This year’s election is the first general election in the United Kingdom where photo ID is required by law at polling stations to vote.

Here you can find out everything you need to know about voting.

How do I vote?

People who have registered with vote personally should cast their vote at the polling station shown on their voting card, which they should have received in the mail. You do not need the voting card to vote, but you must bring a valid voter ID card. Examples of these are provided below.

At the polling station, you will be asked to provide your name and address and to present photo identification to confirm your identity.

You are given a ballot paper with a list of people, parties or options you can vote for. You fill it out in a closed voting booth by putting an X next to your preferred candidate, folding the paper and putting it in the ballot box.

Polling stations are open between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and you can cast your vote as long as you are in line before 10 p.m.

Voters who have decided Vote by postal vote but have not yet sent them off should secretly mark their vote on the ballot paper, fill out the enclosed postal vote declaration, put the ballot paper and the declaration in the enclosed envelope and seal the envelope themselves.

It is now too late to mail your ballot, but you can take the sealed envelope to your local polling place by 10pm on Election Day, or drop it off at your local elections office by closing time.

You can cast your own postal vote and postal votes for up to five other voters. If you are politically active, the five other voters must be family members or people you regularly care for.

If you Voting as a proxy If you are for someone else, be sure to decide which candidate you think you should vote for.

You must vote at the polling station where the person you represent normally votes. Note that this may be a different polling station to your polling station. If you do not know which polling station to go to, contact the local electoral office of the person you represent.

You may be required to show photo identification to vote, but you do not need to show the ID of the person you are representing.

Am I registered to vote?

Most eligible voters will have received their ballot notification in the mail, but you do not need to show it on July 4 to cast your vote.

To check if you are already on the register, contact your local electoral office if you live in England, Scotland or Wales, or the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI) if you live in Northern Ireland. Deadlines for registration have now passed.

Where can I vote?

You can check where your polling station is or who to contact if you need assistance on the Electoral Commission website by entering your postcode.

What is a voter card?

The voter card is a photo identification card that voters must show at their polling station in order to cast their vote.

The new rule was introduced as part of the Electoral Act 2022. The government said it was necessary to combat the risk of electoral fraud locally. It was first brought into force at the 2023 local elections in England.

People without a valid voter ID card can apply for one, even though the deadline for voting in the 2024 election has now passed.

Which forms of ID are accepted?

Travel abroad

• Passport issued by the United Kingdom, one of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state (opens in a new window) or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish passport card)

Driving and parking

• Driving licence issued in the United Kingdom, one of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state (including a provisional licence)

• A blue badge

Travel locally

• UK government funded bus pass for older people

• Bus pass for disabled people funded by the British government

• 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London

• Freedom Pass

• Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for concessionary travel (including a bus ticket for over 60s, disabled people or under 22s)

• Reduced Welsh Travelcard for over 60s

• Welsh Disabled Concession Card

• SmartPass for seniors issued in Northern Ireland

• Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

• Was Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

• 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

• Half-price SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Proof of age

Other government-issued documents

How do I request an emergency proxy election?

In certain circumstances, if you are unable to vote in person due to an emergency, you may apply for Emergency proxy vote.

The circumstances that led to your request must be something you were unaware of prior to the normal deadline for voting by proxy, which ended six business days before the election. Emergency proxy requests can be made until 5:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Circumstances in which you may be eligible for emergency proxy voting include, but are not limited to, a medical emergency, a work-related absence, or the loss, theft, or damage to your photo identification.

To request an emergency power of attorney, you must contact your local election services team.

Voting if you have a disability

If you have a disability and need information about accessibility, such as wheelchair ramps, handicapped parking, low voting booths and/or any other special equipment you may need, contact your local elections office.

At least one large print version of the ballot paper must be available in every polling station.

What am I NOT allowed to do in a polling station?

You can only vote once – unless you vote both for yourself and for someone else as a proxy – and it is illegal to make you vote against your will. Nor is there any obligation to vote.

It is not permitted to take a selfie in the polling station because, according to the electoral commission, this would jeopardise the secrecy of the vote. However, photos can be taken outside.