How to vote anonymously

England, Scotland and Wales

In England, Scotland and Wales, if you are registered to vote anonymously you can choose whether you wish to vote in person, by post or by proxy (this is when you nominate someone to vote on your behalf). 

Voting by post or proxy

If you wish to vote by post or proxy then you should indicate this on your form when applying to register to vote anonymously. You will then be sent the relevant forms so that you can apply for postal or proxy voting.

Alternatively you can read about registering to vote by post and registering to vote by proxy and download the application forms on our website.

Voting in-person if you are in England, Scotland or Wales

If you are registered to vote anonymously for your safety, and happen to be in the UK on polling day then voting in person is slightly different to voters who have their name and address on the electoral register.

Your poll card

All registered voters receive a poll card through the post a few weeks before polling day.

You will need to take your poll card to the polling station with you when you go to vote.

Your poll card will only include your elector number, and not your name and address.

The polling station staff will be able to find your elector number at the end of the electoral register, under ‘other electors’.

You do not need to give your name and address to vote, and the polling station staff should not ask for them. The polling station staff will read out your elector number when you show them your poll card.

If you forget to take your poll card to the polling station, you will need to return later with your poll card.

If you have lost your poll card or never received it, you will need to contact the Returning Officer at your local council for a replacement.    

You will only be able to vote if the replacement is issued in time, and you’re able to get to the polling station with it before polls close at 10pm.

Your Anonymous Electors Document

If you are voting in person, then you'll need to bring your Anonymous Elector's Document with you to the polling station.

Staff at the polling station will check this once they have found your elector number on the electoral register. 

A private area will be available at polling stations so you can choose to have your Anonymous Elector's Document viewed in private. This may be a separate room, or an area separated by a privacy screen, depending on the polling station.

Find out more about registering to vote anonymously, or contact your council if you have any questions.

Northern Ireland

If you are registered to vote anonymously in Northern Ireland then you will be eligible to vote by post. 

You can either vote by post yourself or choose a proxy (a person you nominate) to vote by post on your behalf.

There is not an option to vote in person at a polling station if you have registered to vote anonymously. 

Find out more about registering to vote anonymously, or contact The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland if you have any questions.

If you wish to vote by post or proxy then you should indicate this on your form when applying to register to vote anonymously. You will then be sent the relevant forms so that you can apply for a postal or a proxy vote.

Alternatively you can read about registering to vote by post and registering to vote by proxy and download the application forms on our website.

If you wish to vote by post or proxy then you should indicate this on your form when applying to register to vote anonymously. You will then be sent the relevant forms so that you can apply for a postal or a proxy vote.

Alternatively you can read about registering to vote by post and registering to vote by proxy and download the application forms on our website.

If you wish to vote by post or proxy then you should indicate this on your form when applying to register to vote anonymously. You will then be sent the relevant forms so that you can apply for postal or proxy voting.

Alternatively you can read about registering to vote by post and registering to vote by proxy and download the application forms on our website.

If you are registered to vote anonymously for your safety, voting in person is slightly different to voters who have their name and address on the electoral register.

Your poll card

All registered voters receive a poll card through the post a few weeks before polling day.

You will need to take your poll card to the polling station with you when you go to vote.

Your poll card will only include your elector number, and not your name and address.

The polling station staff will be able to find your elector number at the end of the electoral register, under ‘other electors’.

You do not need to give your name and address to vote, and the polling station staff should not ask for them. The polling station staff will read out your elector number when you show them your poll card.

If you forget to take your poll card to the polling station, you will need to return later with your poll card.

If you have lost your poll card or never received it, you will need to contact the Returning Officer at your local council for a replacement.    

You will only be able to vote if the replacement is issued in time, and you’re able to get to the polling station with it before polls close at 10pm.

Your Anonymous Elector's Document

If you are voting in person at an election that requires photo ID, then you will need to bring your Anonymous Elector's Document with you to the polling station.

Staff at the polling station will check this once they have found your elector number on the electoral register. 

A private area will be available at polling stations so you can choose to have your Anonymous Elector's Document viewed in private. This may be a separate room, or an area separated by a privacy screen, depending on the polling station.

Find out more about registering to vote anonymously, or contact your council if you have any questions.

If you are registered to vote anonymously, for your safety, voting in person is slightly different to voters who have their name and address on the electoral register.

Your poll card

All registered voters receive a poll card through the post a few weeks before polling day.

You will need to take your poll card to the polling place with you when you go to vote. You will not be able to vote without it.

Your poll card will only include your elector number, and not your name and address.

A member of staff at the polling place will be able to find your elector number at the end of the electoral register, under ‘other electors’.

You do not need to give your name and address to vote, and polling place staff should not ask for them. The polling place staff will read out your elector number when you show them your poll card.

If you forget to take your poll card to the polling place, you will need to return later with your poll card.

If you have lost your poll card or never received it, you will need to contact the Returning Officer at your local council for a replacement.

You will only be able to vote if the replacement is issued in time, and you’re able to get to the polling place with it before polls close at 10pm.

Your Anonymous Elector's Document

If you are voting in person at an election that requires photo ID, then you will need to bring your Anonymous Elector's Document with you to the polling place.

Staff at the polling place will check this once they have found your elector number on the electoral register. 

A private area will be available at polling places so you can choose to have your Anonymous Elector's Document viewed in private. This may be a separate room, or an area separated by a privacy screen, depending on the polling place.

Find out more about registering to vote anonymously, or contact your Electoral Registration Office if you have any questions.

If you are registered to vote anonymously for your safety, voting in person is slightly different to voters who have their name and address on the electoral register.

Your polling card

All registered voters receive a poll card through the post a few weeks before polling day.

You will need to take your poll card to the polling station with you when you go to vote.

Your poll card will only include your elector number, and not your name and address.

The polling station staff (or poll clerk) will be able to find your elector number at the end of the electoral register, under ‘other electors’.

You do not need to give your name and address to vote, and the poll clerk should not ask for them. The polling station staff will read out your elector number when you show them your poll card.

If you forget to take your poll card to the polling station, you will need to return later with your poll card.

If you have lost your poll card or never received it, you will need to contact the Returning Officer or Electoral Services Team at your local council to ask for a replacement.

You will only be able to vote if the replacement is issued in time, and you’re able to get to the polling station with it before polls close at 10pm.

Your Anonymous Elector's Document

If you are voting in person at an election that requires photo ID, then you will need to bring your Anonymous Elector's Document with you to the polling station.

Staff at the polling station will check this once they have found your elector number on the electoral register. 

A private area will be available at polling stations so you can choose to have your Anonymous Elector's Document viewed in private. This may be a separate room, or an area separated by a privacy screen, depending on the polling station.

Find out more about registering to vote anonymously, or contact your council if you have any questions.