Types of election, referendums, and who can vote

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Police and Crime Commissioner

There are 41 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales who are elected to make sure the police are run properly. There is no elected PCC for London.

To vote in a PCC election you must:

  • be registered to vote
  • be 18 or over on the day of the election (‘polling day’)
  • be a British, Irish, qualifying Commonwealth or EU citizen
  • be resident at an address in England or Wales (excluding London)
  • not be legally excluded from voting

PCCs are elected using the Supplementary Vote system. You make a first and second choice when you vote.

If no candidate gets more than 50% of the first choice votes, all except the top 2 candidates are eliminated. If your first choice candidate is eliminated, and your second choice is for one of the top 2, your second choice is counted.

Read more about Police and Crime Commissioner elections on The Electoral Commission website.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Vote in UK elections

  1. Step 1 Check if you can vote

    1. Check which elections you can vote in

  2. Step 2 Register to vote

    You need to register to vote in elections and referendums. You need to register again if you have changed your name, address or nationality.

    1. Register to vote online
    1. Register to vote using a paper form

  3. Step 3 Decide if you want to vote in person, by post, or by proxy

    1. Find out the different ways you can vote

  4. Step 4 Get ready to vote in person

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    Contact your local electoral registration office to find your polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility needs.

    1. Contact the local electoral registration office

  5. or Apply for a postal vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    You must apply no later than 5pm, 11 working days before the election.

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland

  6. or Apply for a proxy vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    You must apply by 5pm, at least 6 working days before polling day.

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland

  7. or Get ready to vote as a proxy

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    Contact the local electoral registration office of the person you are a proxy for to find their polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility issues.

    1. Contact the local electoral registration office

  8. Step 5 Vote in person

    1. Vote in person

  9. or Vote by post

    1. Vote by post

  10. or Vote as a proxy for someone else

    1. Vote as a proxy for someone else