Voting at the polling station
You can only vote in person at your designated 'polling station' on election day, during opening hours (from 7.00am to 10.00pm).
Proving your identity at the polling station
You will need to show an approved form of photographic identification (or 'photo ID') before voting in your designated polling station. Read the full list of accepted forms of photo ID; student cards are not an accepted form of ID for voting.
If you do not have an accepted form of photo ID, you no longer look like the photo on your ID, or the name on your photo ID is different to your name on the electoral register, you can apply for a free voter authority certificate online.
If you need help applying for the free voter authority certificate, or to request an application form, contact Electoral Services.
Accessibility at polling stations
Additional support will be provided for voters with disabilities, such as:
- physical access, for example wheelchair ramps and disabled parking spaces
- low-level polling booths
- equipment for voters with a visual impairment, including large print versions of ballot papers, and tactile voting devices
- the option to be assisted by anyone over the age of 18
Casting your vote at a polling station
When you arrive at your polling station you'll be given ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for. You may be given more than one ballot paper if multiple elections are taking place in your local area on the same day.
Take your ballot paper into a (private) polling booth and read it carefully - it will tell you how to cast your vote and how to 'mark your ballot paper' correctly; you should mark an ‘X’ against the one candidate you want to elect to represent your constituency.
Tell the polling staff if you make a mistake on your ballot paper - they can provide a replacement ballot paper as long as you haven't already put yours in the ballot box.
Fold your completed ballot paper in half, show the back to the Presiding Officer and then place it in the ballot box.
When votes are counted, the candidate who receives the most votes is elected.
Also see