How to vote
Overview
You need to be registered to vote before you can vote in UK elections or referendums.
If you’re eligible, you can vote in person on the day of the election at a named polling station. You can also apply for a postal or proxy vote instead.
Find out about voting safely during coronavirus (COVID-19).
Ways of voting
You can vote:
- in person at a polling station
- by post
- by asking someone else to vote for you (voting by proxy)
You cannot vote online in any elections.
Eligibility to vote
You can vote when you’re:
- 18 years old in England and Northern Ireland
- 16 years old in Scottish Parliament and local elections (and other elections when you’re 18)
- 16 years old in Welsh Parliament elections (and other elections when you’re 18)
Elections you can vote in
Different elections have different rules on who can vote.