How to vote
Voting by post
You must apply for a postal vote if you want to vote by post, for example if:
- you’re away from home
- you’re abroad and want to vote in England, Scotland or Wales
You do not need to give a reason unless you’re voting in Northern Ireland.
Deadline for registering to vote in the General Election
Register by 11:59pm on 18 June 2024 to vote in the General Election on 4 July 2024.
If you want to apply for a postal vote online, you must apply by 5pm on 19 June 2024.
If you want to apply for a postal vote by post, you must get your postal vote application to your local Electoral Registration Office by 5pm on 19 June 2024.
If you live abroad
If you live abroad and want to vote by postal vote, make sure you apply for and return your postal vote as soon as possible. It can take a long time for your ballot pack to reach you and get back to the UK, especially if your local postal services are irregular or if you live far from the UK.
The Electoral Commission advises people living overseas to apply for a proxy vote if possible.
Apply for a postal vote
You can apply for a postal vote for one of the following:
- a single election on a specific date
- a specific period if you want to vote in England, Scotland or Wales
- up to 3 years
You can:
There’s a different form to apply to vote by post in Northern Ireland.
Change where your postal vote is sent
Make a new application for a postal vote if you move house or you’ll be away from home when the postal vote is sent out.
There’s a different form for Northern Ireland.
Completing and returning your postal vote
When voting by post, you should:
- mark your vote on your ballot paper in secret
- fill in the postal voting statement
- put the ballot and statement in the envelope provided
- seal the envelope yourself
Post your ballot back as quickly as possible to make sure it’s counted.
If you’re too late to post your ballot paper
Take it to your local polling station by 10pm on election day, or Electoral Registration Office before it closes.
If you are voting in Northern Ireland, you can only hand in your postal vote at an Electoral Registration Office.
Your vote will be rejected if you do not give your ballot paper to a member of staff at the polling station or Electoral Registration Office and complete a form. Do not post your ballot paper through the letterbox of the Electoral Registration Office.
You can hand in your own postal vote and postal votes for up to 5 other voters. If you are a political campaigner, the 5 other voters must be family members or people you provide regular care for.
Replace a lost or damaged ballot paper
Your ballot paper needs to clearly display your details and voting choice. If it has been damaged you need to get another one.
You can either:
-
ask your local Electoral Registration Office to post a replacement
-
collect a replacement from your local Electoral Registration Office up to 5pm on election day (or the day before in Northern Ireland)
You cannot vote at a polling station if you registered to vote by post but your ballot paper was lost or damaged.