How to vote

Vote in person

Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm on polling day and the address of your polling station appears on your poll card letter which is sent to you a few weeks before the election or referendum.

  • On voting day, go to your polling station. This is usually a school, local hall or public building near where you live
  • When you arrive, tell the staff your name and address. You don't need your voting card but it helps
  • You will need to show the staff a suitable form of photo ID – To find out what photo ID is acceptable and how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if you don’t have suitable photo ID, visit our Voter ID page.
  • You will be given a ballot paper for each poll which will have a list of candidates and their political parties
  • The ballot paper will tell you how many votes you have, or you can check with a member of staff. Go to a polling booth so that you can make your vote in secret
  • Put a cross next to the candidate you wish to vote for, fold your ballot paper in half and put it in the ballot box

If there is anything you are unsure of, please ask a member of staff at the station.

The voting process should be accessible to all voters. We offer a range of support for disabled voters to enable them to vote independently or with assistance. For more information, please visit our polling station accessibility page.