We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
Departments, agencies and public bodies
News stories, speeches, letters and notices
Detailed guidance, regulations and rules
Reports, analysis and official statistics
Consultations and strategy
Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports
How to vote if you move or live abroad, including eligibility and registration
Who is eligible to vote in elections and referendums in the UK
There are different types of UK elections. The most common ones are:…
General elections (elections to the UK Parliament) usually take place…
Local government elections take place at least every 4 years. Not all…
There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). To vote in…
There are 90 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in the Northern…
There are 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs). To vote in Senedd elections you…
Elected local mayors In some areas of England voters elect a mayor. Check…
There are 41 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales…
A referendum is a vote on a single issue. You usually make one choice…
Get on the electoral register so you can vote in elections and referendums.
An overview of voting in the UK, including voting in person, postal and proxy voting, and voting if you're abroad.
Use this service to apply for a postal vote in, general elections and other UK Parliamentary elections, local elections in England (including mayors), Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales, referendums and MP recall petitions.
Use this service to apply to vote by proxy in general elections and other UK Parliamentary elections, local elections in England (including mayors), Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales, referendums, MP recall petitions.
Get on the electoral register so you can vote in elections and referendums as a member of the armed forces.
Vote in UK elections and referendums, register to vote, check what ID you need, and apply to vote by post or by proxy.
Register to vote, getting on the electoral register and voting by proxy
Apply for photo ID to vote (Voter Authority Certificate) in some elections and referendums in Great Britain if you do not have an accepted form of ID.
Use this form to apply to vote by post. You'll need to send the completed form to your local Electoral Registration Office.
If you can’t vote in person, someone can vote for you. You can tell them who to vote for. This is called a proxy vote.
You can register to vote if you don't have a fixed address.
Get on the electoral register so you can vote in elections and referendums as a Crown servant or British Council employee.
Videos created by the Electoral Commission offering valuable insights into how to improve the accessibility of elections for everyone.
This collection of guidance provides advice on good security practice for candidates and those in local authorities.
Challenge the result of an election if you think it was not run properly, issuing and serving an election petition, and what happens at the hearing and trial
If you aren’t able to cast your vote in person, you can have someone you trust cast your vote for you in a particular election or referendum.
The Representation of The People (Postal And Proxy Voting Etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.