How to vote

From Thursday 4 May 2023, you will need to show a photo ID, when voting in person in some elections and referendums.

Find out more about the acceptable forms of ID, or what to do if you don't have the ID needed, on the Electoral Commission's website.

Poll cards are delivered shortly before an election, to all registered electors. Each member of your household who is eligible to vote, should receive a poll card.

Your poll card will tell you:

• the date of the election
• polling hours (currently 7 am to 10pm for all elections)
• location of the polling station
• deadlines for postal and proxy vote applications

How do I place my vote?

You do not need to take your poll card with you to be able to vote, but you will need photo ID.

When you arrive at the polling station, the Presiding Officer will:

• ask you to confirm your name and address
• ask you to provide a photo ID
• give you a ballot paper

Follow the instructions in the polling booth and on your ballot paper to vote. After marking your vote, you should fold the ballot paper in half and place it in the box. This will be next to the staff working at the station.

Can I vote by post?

You must be a registered elector to be eligible to vote by post.

You may choose to vote by post if it would be easier for you. You do not need to give a reason why you want a postal vote. A postal vote can be temporary (for one election) or permanent (for all elections). You can apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote or contact us for a form on 01924 305023.

There is always a last date to receive postal vote applications in time each election. The date and time will be advertised closer to the election date.

Postal votes are sent out several days before an election. This is to ensure that you have enough time to receive, complete and return your ballot paper.

You will receive instructions with your ballot paper on how to complete your postal vote. If you have a postal vote, you cannot vote in person at a polling station.

You may choose to vote by post, if it would be easier for you. You do not need to give a reason why you want a postal vote. A postal vote can be temporary (for one election) or permanent. You must apply in writing.

You can get more information about voting by post can is available from the Electoral Commission website.

Can I vote by proxy?

You must be registered to vote to be eligible to vote by proxy. You can check this by contacting the Electoral Services Office.

If you think that you will not be able to vote in person, you may be able to vote by proxy, which means that you will nominate someone to vote on your behalf. A proxy vote can be temporary (for one election or a set period) or permanent (for all elections).

You will need to give a reason why you want to appoint a proxy. For example, you might request a temporary proxy vote because you will be on holiday, or you might request a permanent proxy vote because of long-term ill health.

A permanent application must be supported by a relevant third party such as your doctor or employer.

The person you appoint as your proxy must also be a registered voter. A person can vote as proxy for any number of direct relations (husband, wife, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild). A person cannot vote as proxy for more than two voters who are not direct relations.

You must advise the person who you appoint how you want to vote on that occasion, for example, which candidate, party, or outcome. They then need to visit your polling station to cast your vote on your behalf - they are usually issued with a proxy poll card to indicate this.

The person who you appoint will need to show their own photo ID at the polling station.

You can still vote at a polling station if you arrive before your proxy. You or your proxy will not be able to place a second vote, if one of you has already voted.

If you have a postal vote and then apply for a proxy vote, this will cancel your postal vote. You would need to reapply for a postal vote, for any future elections.

Under certain circumstances, an appointed proxy can apply for a postal proxy vote. This is different to a regular postal vote. You can contact electoral services for more information on postal proxy voting.