Which elections you can vote in

The elections you can vote in depend on:

• your citizenship
• your age
• where you live

The elections you can vote in depend on:

• your citizenship
• your age
• where you live

The elections you can vote in depend on:

• your citizenship
• your age
• where you live

The elections you can vote in depend on:

• your citizenship
• your age
• where you live

If you’re registered as an overseas voter and you’re 18 or over, you can vote in UK Parliament elections.

You can’t vote in any other elections in the UK.

If you’re a service voter or Crown servant voter and are based overseas, you can vote in all elections taking place in the area where you’re registered.

British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizens

If you hold British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizenship, you can vote in all elections that take place.

EU citizens

You can vote in local elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections if you are either a citizen of:

• Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain who is resident in the UK, has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who does not need permission
• any other EU country who on or before 31 December 2020 was legally resident in the UK, had permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who did not need permission, and this has continued without a break

You can’t vote in UK Parliamentary general elections.

Although also EU member states, citizens of Cyprus, Malta and Ireland are eligible to be registered to vote in all elections held in the UK.

British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizens

If you hold British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizenship, you can vote in all elections that take place.

EU citizens

All EU citizens can register to vote in Senedd and local council elections in Wales.

You can vote in Police and Crime Commissioner elections if you are either a citizen of:

• Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain who is resident in the UK, has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who does not need permission
• any other EU country who on or before 31 December 2020 was legally resident in the UK, had permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who did not need permission, and this has continued without a break

You can’t vote in UK Parliamentary general elections.

Although also EU member states, citizens of Cyprus, Malta and Ireland are eligible to be registered to vote in all elections held in the UK.

Qualifying foreign citizen

If you are a qualifying foreign citizen living in Wales, you can vote in Senedd and local government elections.

British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizens

If you hold British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizenship, you can vote in all elections that take place.

Qualifying foreign nationals

If you are a qualifying foreign national living in Scotland, you can vote in Scottish Parliament and council elections. A qualifying foreign national is a citizen of another country who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need such permission. This includes EU citizens. You can’t vote in UK Parliamentary elections.

British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizens

If you hold British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizenship, you can vote in all elections that take place in Northern Ireland.

EU citizens

You can vote in local and Assembly elections if you are either a citizen of:

• Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain who is resident in the UK, has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who does not need permission
• any other EU country who on or before 31 December 2020 was legally resident in the UK, had permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who did not need permission, and this has continued without a break

You can’t vote in UK Parliamentary general elections.

Although also EU member states, citizens of Cyprus, Malta and Ireland are eligible to be registered to vote in all elections held in the UK.

In England, you can vote in all elections when you’re 18.

In Wales, you can vote in Senedd and local government elections when you’re 16.

You can register to vote when you’re 14. Find out more about registering

You can vote in all other elections when you’re 18.

In Scotland, you can vote in:

• Scottish Parliament elections and council elections when you’re 16
• UK Parliamentary general elections when you’re 18

In Northern Ireland, you can vote in all elections when you’re 18.

UK Parliamentary general elections and local council elections take place across the UK.

Some elections, however, only ever take place in certain areas.

If you live in London, you can vote in the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections.

In some parts of England, you can also vote for your Police and Crime Commissioner, and for your Mayor.

There are other registration options, including registering as a service voter, registering anonymously, and registering if you don’t have a fixed address.

UK Parliamentary general elections and local council elections take place across the UK.

Some elections, however, only ever take place in certain areas.

In Wales, you can vote in Senedd elections, and for your Police and Crime Commissioner.

There are other registration options, including registering as a service voter, registering anonymously, and registering if you don’t have a fixed address.

UK Parliamentary general elections and local council elections take place across the UK.

In Scotland, you can also vote in Scottish Parliament elections.

There are other registration options, including registering as a service voter, registering anonymously, and registering if you don’t have a fixed address.

UK Parliamentary general elections and local council elections take place across the UK.

In Northern Ireland, you can vote in Northern Ireland Assembly elections.

There are other registration options, including registering as a service voter, registering anonymously, and registering if you don’t have a fixed address.

Being registered at both your home address and your term-time addresses doesn't necessarily mean you get two votes. 

You will need to choose one address and vote in only that area when you're voting in:

• UK Parliament elections
• UK referendums
• London Assembly and London Mayoral elections  

You can't vote at both your term-time address and your home address at these elections. Voting in more than one location is a criminal offence. 

For other elections you can vote at both your term-time and your home address.

You can choose to vote in either or both areas (as long as the addresses are in different council areas) when you're voting in:

• Local council elections in England
• Police and Crime commissioner elections and mayoral elections

Make sure you understand the rules for the election you are voting in.

Find out more about voting as a student

You will need to choose one address and vote in only that area when you're voting in:

• UK Parliament elections
• Northern Ireland Assembly elections
• UK referendums

You can't vote at both your term-time address and your home address at these elections. Voting in more than one location is a criminal offence. 

For local council elections in Northern Ireland you can vote at both your term-time and your home address.

You can choose to vote in either or both areas, as long as the addresses are in different council areas.

Make sure you understand the rules for the election you are voting in.

Find out more about voting as a student

Being registered at both your home address and your term-time addresses doesn't mean you get two votes.

You will need to choose one address and vote in only that area when you're voting in:

• UK Parliament elections
• Scottish Parliament elections
• Council elections in Scotland
• A referendum

You can't vote at both your term-time address and your home address at these elections.

Voting in more than one location is a criminal offence.

The only exception is if one of your addresses is in Scotland and the other is somewhere else in the UK, and you’re voting in a council election. 

In this case, you can vote in the council election in Scotland and in the council election in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. 

Find out more about voting as a student

You will not be able to vote if you:

• are a convicted person detained in pursuance of your sentence, excluding contempt of court (though remand prisoners, unconvicted prisoners and civil prisoners can vote if they are on the electoral register). However, if you are normally resident in Scotland and are serving a combined sentence of 12 months or less anywhere in the UK, you are eligible to register and vote Scottish Parliament elections and council elections in Scotland
• have been found guilty within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal practices in connection with an election

You will not be able to vote if you:

• are a convicted person detained in pursuance of your sentence, excluding contempt of court (though remand prisoners, unconvicted prisoners and civil prisoners can vote if they are on the electoral register)
• have been found guilty within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal practices in connection with an election

You will not be able to vote if you:

• are a convicted person detained in pursuance of your sentence, excluding contempt of court (though remand prisoners, unconvicted prisoners and civil prisoners can vote if they are on the electoral register). However, if you are normally resident in Scotland and are serving a combined sentence of 12 months or less anywhere in the UK, you are eligible to register and vote in Scottish Parliament elections and council elections in Scotland
• have been found guilty within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal practices in connection with an election

You will not be able to vote if you:

• are a convicted person detained in pursuance of your sentence, excluding contempt of court (though remand prisoners, unconvicted prisoners and civil prisoners can vote if they are on the electoral register)
• have been found guilty within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal practices in connection with an election

You will not be able to vote if you:

• are a convicted person detained in pursuance of your sentence, excluding contempt of court (though remand prisoners, unconvicted prisoners and civil prisoners can vote if they are on the electoral register). However, if you are normally resident in Scotland and are serving a combined sentence of 12 months or less anywhere in the UK, you are eligible to register and vote Scottish Parliament elections and council elections in Scotland
• have been found guilty within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal practices in connection with an election