Voting in person

If you happen to be in the UK on polling day, you can vote in person at your polling station.

If you have a postal vote, you won't be able to vote at the polling station, but you can hand in your completed postal ballot at the polling station.

If you have a proxy vote, you will only be able to vote at the polling station if your proxy hasn't already voted on your behalf.

When you vote in person, you go to the polling station allocated to you based on your address on the electoral register.

Before you go to vote, check where your polling station is. It might not be the closest one to where to you live, and it might have changed since the last time you voted. You have to go to your allocated polling station, and you can't go to a different one close to where you work, for example.

Your polling station will be on your poll card, which you'll receive through the post a few weeks before polling day.

If you are voting in an election that requires photo ID then make sure you have an accepted form of photo ID or your Voter Authority Certificate with you before you go to the polling station.

When you vote in person, you go to the polling station allocated to you based on your address on the electoral register.

Before you go to vote, check where your polling station is. It might not be the closest one to where to you live, and it might have changed since the last time you voted. You have to go to your allocated polling station, and you can't go to a different one close to where you work, for example.

Your polling station will be on your poll card, which you'll receive through the post a few weeks before polling day.

If you are voting in an election that requires photo ID then make sure you have an accepted form of photo ID or your Voter Authority Certificate with you before you go to the polling station.

When you vote in person, you go to the polling place allocated to you based on your address on the electoral register.

Before you go to vote, check where your polling place is. It might not be the closest one to where to you live, and it might have changed since the last time you voted. You have to go to your allocated polling place, and you can't go to a different one close to where you work, for example.

Your polling place will be on poll card, which you'll receive through the post a few weeks before polling day.

If you are voting in an election that requires photo ID then make sure you have an accepted form of photo ID or your Voter Authority Certificate with you before you go to the polling place.

When you vote in person, you go to the polling station allocated to you based on your address on the electoral register.

Before you go to vote, check where your polling station is. It might not be the closest one to where to you live, and it might have changed since the last time you voted. You have to go to your allocated polling station, and you can't go to a different one close to where you work, for example.

Your polling station will be on your poll card, which you'll receive through the post a few weeks before polling day.

When you vote in person, you go to the polling station allocated to you based on your address on the electoral register. This will be the address you used when you registered to vote as an overseas voter (which will be the UK address where you were last registered to vote).

Before you go to vote, check where your polling station is. You have to go to your polling station, and you can't go to a different one.

If you’re registered as an overseas voter, you won’t receive a poll card.

If you are voting at a polling station you will need photo ID or your Voter Authority Certificate. This will apply to UK General elections from October 2023.

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on polling day.

They can get busy, particularly towards the end of the day. If there's a queue at your polling station, you'll still be able to vote as long as you joined the queue before 10pm.

If you need help getting to your polling station, you can contact your local council.
 

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on polling day.

They can get busy, particularly towards the end of the day. If there's a queue at your polling station, you'll still be able to vote as long as you joined the queue before 10pm.

If you need help getting to your polling station, you can contact your local council.

Polling places are open from 7am to 10pm on polling day.

They can get busy, particularly towards the end of the day. If there's a queue at your polling place, you'll still be able to vote as long as you joined the queue before 10pm.

If you need help getting to your polling place, you can contact your council.

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on polling day.

They can get busy, particularly towards the end of the day. If there's a queue at your polling station, you'll still be able to vote as long as you joined the queue before 10pm.

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on polling day.

They can get busy, particularly towards the end of the day. If there's a queue at your polling station, you'll still be able to vote as long as you joined the queue before 10pm.

If you need help getting to your polling station, you can contact your local council.

1. Check where your polling station is, and go to vote between 7am and 10pm on polling day.
2. When you arrive at your polling station, a staff member will ask for your name and address, and check that you are on the electoral register.
3. If you are voting in an election that requires photo ID, you will need to show photo ID to vote. They will ask to see your ID, check that it's accepted, and that it looks like you. If you are registered to vote anonymously, you will be asked to show your poll card and Anonymous Elector’s Document (AED).
4. A private area will be available should you choose to have your photo ID viewed in private. This might be a separate room, or an area separated by a privacy screen, depending on the polling station.
5. The staff member will cross your name off the register and give you a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for. You might be given more than one ballot paper if there is more than one election taking place in your local area on the same day.
6. Take your ballot paper (or papers) to a polling booth, so that you can cast your vote in secret.
7. Read the instructions on the ballot paper carefully. Some elections use different voting methods, so you need to make sure you fill in each ballot paper correctly.
8. Complete your ballot paper using the pencil provided in the polling booth. You can also use your own pen if you want to. Don't write anything else on the paper, or your vote may not be counted.
9. If you make a mistake, don't put your ballot paper in the ballot box. Ask the polling station staff for a replacement ballot paper, and fill it in again.
10. Once you're done, fold your completed ballot paper and put it in the ballot box.

1. Check where your polling station is, and go to vote between 7am and 10pm on polling day.
2. When you arrive at your polling station, a staff member will ask for your name and check that you are on the electoral register.
3. If you are voting in an election that requires photo ID, you will need to show photo ID to vote. They will ask to see your ID, check that it's accepted, and that it looks like you. If you are registered to vote anonymously, you will be asked to show your poll card and Anonymous Elector’s Document (AED).
4. A private area will be available should you choose to have your photo ID viewed in private. This might be a separate room, or an area separated by a privacy screen, depending on the polling station.
5. The staff member will cross your name off the register and give you a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for. You might be given more than one ballot paper if there is more than one election taking place in your local area on the same day.
6. Take your ballot paper (or papers) to a polling booth, so that you can cast your vote in secret.
7. Read the instructions on the ballot paper carefully. Some elections use different voting methods, so you need to make sure you fill in each ballot paper correctly.
8. Complete your ballot paper using the pencil provided in the polling booth. You can also use your own pen if you want to. Don't write anything else on the paper, or your vote may not be counted.
9. If you make a mistake, don't put your ballot paper in the ballot box. Ask the polling station staff for a replacement ballot paper, and fill it in again.
10. Once you're done, fold your completed ballot paper and put it in the ballot box.

1. Check where your polling place is, and go to vote between 7am and 10pm on polling day.
2. When you arrive at your polling station, a staff member will ask for your name and check that you are on the electoral register.
3. If you are voting in an election that requires photo ID, you will need to show photo ID to vote. They will ask to see your ID, check that it's accepted, and that it looks like you. If you are registered to vote anonymously, you will be asked to show your poll card and Anonymous Elector’s Document (AED).
4. A private area will be available should you choose to have your photo ID viewed in private. This might be a separate room, or an area separated by a privacy screen, depending on the polling station.
5. The staff member will cross your name off the register and give you a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for. You might be given more than one ballot paper if there is more than one election taking place in your local area on the same day.
6. Take your ballot paper (or papers) to a polling booth, so that you can cast your vote in secret.
7. Read the instructions on the ballot paper carefully. Some elections use different voting methods, so you need to make sure you fill in each ballot paper correctly.
8. Complete your ballot paper using the pencil provided in the polling booth. You can also use your own pen if you want to. Don't write anything else on the paper, or your vote may not be counted.
9. If you make a mistake, don't put your ballot paper in the ballot box. Ask the polling station staff for a replacement ballot paper, and fill it in again.
10. Once you're done, fold your completed ballot paper and put it in the ballot box.

1. Check where your polling station is, and go to vote between 7am and 10pm on polling day.
2. When you get your polling station, show the polling station staff (or poll clerk) your ID. You need to show ID, but you don't need your poll card to vote (it can help to speed up the process).
3. The staff will give you a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for. You might be given more than one ballot paper if there is more than one election taking place in your local area on the same day.
4. Take your ballot paper (or papers) to a polling booth, so that you can cast your vote in secret.
5. Read the instructions on the ballot paper carefully. Some elections use different voting methods, so you need to make sure you fill in each ballot paper correctly.
6. Complete your ballot paper using the pencil provided in the polling booth. You can also use your own pen if you want to. Don't write anything else on the paper, or your vote may not be counted.
7. If you make a mistake, don't put your ballot paper in the ballot box. Ask the polling station staff for a replacement ballot paper, and fill it again.
8. Once you're done, fold your completed ballot paper and put it in the ballot box.

Taking photos

Taking photos inside the polling station isn't allowed as it might risk the secrecy of the ballot.

You are more than welcome to take photos outside the polling station, and share them on social media to encourage your friends and family to vote.

1. Check where your polling station is, and go to vote between 7am and 10pm on polling day.
2. When you arrive at your polling station, a staff member will ask for your name and check that you are on the electoral register.
3. If you are voting in an election that requires photo ID, you will need to show photo ID to vote. They will ask to see your ID, check that it's accepted, and that it looks like you. If you are registered to vote anonymously, you will be asked to show your poll card and Anonymous Elector’s Document (AED).
4. A private area will be available should you choose to have your photo ID viewed in private. This might be a separate room, or an area separated by a privacy screen, depending on the polling station.
5. The staff member will cross your name off the register and give you a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for. You might be given more than one ballot paper if there is more than one election taking place in your local area on the same day.
6. Take your ballot paper (or papers) to a polling booth, so that you can cast your vote in secret.
7. Read the instructions on the ballot paper carefully. Some elections use different voting methods, so you need to make sure you fill in each ballot paper correctly.
8. Complete your ballot paper using the pencil provided in the polling booth. You can also use your own pen if you want to. Don't write anything else on the paper, or your vote may not be counted.
9. If you make a mistake, don't put your ballot paper in the ballot box. Ask the polling station staff for a replacement ballot paper, and fill it in again.
10. Once you're done, fold your completed ballot paper and put it in the ballot box.

Face coverings

If you wear a face covering for any reason, such as a mask worn on medical grounds or a face veil worn on religious grounds, you will be asked to remove it so polling station staff can check your ID looks like you.

You can ask to have your ID checked in private. You can also request that a female member of staff checks your ID. This request will be granted if possible.

There will be a mirror available in the polling station to allow you to replace your face covering once your ID has been checked.

If you have any questions about voting in person at the polling station you may wish to contact your Returning Officer to discuss this. Find the contact details

Taking photos

Taking photos inside the polling place isn't allowed as it might risk the secrecy of the ballot.

You are more than welcome to take photos outside the polling place, and share them on social media to encourage your friends and family to vote.

Postal ballot papers are viewed differently in electoral law to ballot papers in a polling station, so voters can take a photo of their own postal ballot paper and publicise it (including on social media) if they want to.

It is the personal choice of the voter whether they decide to take a photo of their postal ballot paper and share it. It is an offence to persuade or induce another person to share a photo of their postal ballot paper.

Face coverings

If you wear a face covering for any reason, such as a mask worn on medical grounds or a face veil worn on religious grounds, you will be asked to remove it so polling station staff can check your ID looks like you.

You can ask to have your ID checked in private. You can also request that a female member of staff checks your ID. This request will be granted if possible.

There will be a mirror available in the polling station to allow you to replace your face covering once your ID has been checked.

If you have any questions about voting in person at the polling station you may wish to contact your Returning Officer to discuss this. Find the contact details

Taking photos

Taking photos inside the polling place isn't allowed as it might risk the secrecy of the ballot.

You are more than welcome to take photos outside the polling place, and share them on social media to encourage your friends and family to vote.

Postal ballot papers are viewed differently in electoral law to ballot papers in a polling station, so voters can take a photo of their own postal ballot paper and publicise it (including on social media) if they want to.

It is the personal choice of the voter whether they decide to take a photo of their postal ballot paper and share it. It is an offence to persuade or induce another person to share a photo of their postal ballot paper.

Face coverings

If you wear a face covering for any reason, such as a mask worn on medical grounds or a face veil worn on religious grounds, you will be asked to remove it so polling station staff can check your ID looks like you.

You can ask to have your ID checked in private. You can also request that a female member of staff checks your ID. This request will be granted if possible.

There will be a mirror available in the polling station to allow you to replace your face covering once your ID has been checked.

If you have any questions about voting in person at the polling station you may wish to contact your Returning Officer to discuss this. Find the contact details

Taking photos

Taking photos inside the polling place isn't allowed as it might risk the secrecy of the ballot.

You are more than welcome to take photos outside the polling place, and share them on social media to encourage your friends and family to vote.

Postal ballot papers are viewed differently in electoral law to ballot papers in a polling station, so voters can take a photo of their own postal ballot paper and publicise it (including on social media) if they want to.

It is the personal choice of the voter whether they decide to take a photo of their postal ballot paper and share it. It is an offence to persuade or induce another person to share a photo of their postal ballot paper.

Face coverings

If you wear a face covering for any reason, such as a mask worn on medical grounds or a face veil worn on religious grounds, you will be asked to remove it so polling station staff can check your ID looks like you.

You can ask to have your ID checked in private. You can also request that a female member of staff checks your ID. This request will be granted if possible.

There will be a mirror available in the polling station to allow you to replace your face covering once your ID has been checked.

If you have any questions about voting in person at the polling station you may wish to contact your Returning Officer to discuss this. Find the contact details

Taking photos

Taking photos inside the polling place isn't allowed as it might risk the secrecy of the ballot.

You are more than welcome to take photos outside the polling place, and share them on social media to encourage your friends and family to vote.

Postal ballot papers are viewed differently in electoral law to ballot papers in a polling station, so voters can take a photo of their own postal ballot paper and publicise it (including on social media) if they want to.

It is the personal choice of the voter whether they decide to take a photo of their postal ballot paper and share it. It is an offence to persuade or induce another person to share a photo of their postal ballot paper.

If your arrive at a polling station without an accepted form of photo ID, you will be asked to return with ID that is accepted.

Polling station staff will complete a form to record that a ballot paper couldn’t be issued, and the reason why.

The total number of voters who later return with accepted ID and are issued with a ballot paper will also be recorded. 

If you're not sure what to do, or need any help, just ask the staff at the polling station – they will be happy to assist you to cast your vote.

There are a number of things at the polling station to help you cast your vote, including a large print sample ballot paper, and a tactile voting device to help if you have a visual impairment.

If you want to, you can take your phone into the polling booth to use magnifier or text-to-speech apps, or the phone torch to improve lighting. When using your phone, don’t take any photos inside the polling station.

You can ask polling station staff for help, or you can bring someone with you. Anyone over the age of 18 can come with you to help you cast your vote. They don’t need to be eligible to vote in that election. 

If you're not sure what to do, or need any help, just ask the staff at the polling station – they will be happy to assist you to cast your vote.

There are a number of things at the polling station to help you cast your vote, including a large print sample ballot paper, and a tactile voting device to help if you have a visual impairment.

If you want to, you can take your phone into the polling booth to use magnifier or text-to-speech apps, or the phone torch to improve lighting. When using your phone, don’t take any photos inside the polling station.

You can also ask polling station staff to help you, or you can bring someone with you to help. If you bring someone with you to help at Senedd, local elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections, they need to be over 16 and eligible to vote in the election. For general elections, including recall petitions, anyone over the age of 18 can come with you to help you cast your vote. They don’t need to be eligible to vote in that election.

If you're not sure what to do, or need any help, just ask the staff at the polling place – they will be happy to assist you to cast your vote.

There are a number of things at the polling place to help you cast your vote, including a large print sample ballot paper, and a tactile voting device to help if you have a visual impairment.

If you want to, you can take your phone into the polling booth to use magnifier or text-to-speech apps, or the phone torch to improve lighting. When using your phone, don’t take any photos inside the polling station.

You can also ask polling place staff to help you, or you can bring someone with you to help. If you bring someone to help you at local elections, they need to be over 18 and eligible to vote in the election. For general elections, including recall petitions, anyone over the age of 18 can come with you to help you cast your vote. They don’t need to be eligible to vote in that election.

If you're not sure what to do, or need any help, just ask the staff at the polling station – they will be happy to assist you to cast your vote.

There are a number of things at the polling station to help you cast your vote, including a large print sample ballot paper, and a tactile voting device to help if you have a visual impairment.

You can also ask polling place staff to help you, or you can bring someone with you to help. If you bring someone to help you at local elections, they need to be over 18 and eligible to vote in the election. For general elections, including recall petitions, anyone over the age of 18 can come with you to help you cast your vote. They don’t need to be eligible to vote in that election.

If you're not sure what to do, or need any help, just ask the staff at the polling station – they will be happy to assist you to cast your vote.

There are a number of things at the polling station to help you cast your vote, including a large print sample ballot paper, and a tactile voting device to help if you have a visual impairment.

If you want to, you can take your phone into the polling booth to use magnifier or text-to-speech apps, or the phone torch to improve lighting. When using your phone, don’t take any photos inside the polling station.

You can ask polling station staff for help, or you can bring someone with you. Anyone over the age of 18 can come with you to help you cast your vote. They don’t need to be eligible to vote in that election.