Yahoo News How to check if you're registered to vote and what to take to polling stations
This general election will be the first where voters are required to bring an ID in order to cast their ballot.
The UK electorate is heading to the polls to cast their vote in the 2024 general election and decide who should be the next prime minister.
This year's ballot will be the first general election where photo IDs are legally required in order for people to vote at polling stations across the UK.
Here's everything you need to know about how to vote.
How do I vote?
People registered to vote in person should cast their ballot at the polling station location listed on their poll card, which they should have received by post. You do not need the poll card to vote but you do need to take an acceptable form of voter ID, examples of which are listed below.
When you're at the polling station, you will be asked to give your name and address and provide your photo ID to confirm your identity.
You’ll be given a ballot paper containing a list of the people, parties or options you can vote for and you complete this in private in a polling booth by marking X next to your preferred candidate, before folding over the piece of paper and putting it in the ballot box.
Polling stations are open between 7am and 10pm and you can cast your vote so long as you're in the queue before 10pm.
Voters who opted to vote by post but haven't yet sent it should mark their vote on the ballot paper in secret, fill in the accompanying postal voting statement, put the ballot and the statement in the envelope provide and seal the envelope yourself.
It's too late to send your ballot by post now but you can take the sealed envelope to your local polling station by 10pm on election day or deliver it to your local Electoral Registration Office by the time it closes.
You can hand in your own postal vote and postal votes for up to five other voters. If you are a political campaigner, the five other voters must be family members or people you provide regular care for.
If you're voting as a proxy for someone else, you should make sure you know which candidate they want you to vote for.
You'll need to vote at the polling station where the person you're a proxy for usually votes, bearing in mind this may be a different one to where you vote. If you do not know which polling station to go to, contact the local Electoral Registration Office of the person you are a proxy for.
You may need to show photo ID to vote but you do not need to show the ID of the person you are the proxy for.
Am I registered to vote?
Most people registered to vote should have received their poll card in the post, although you do not need to show this to cast your vote on 4 July.
To check whether you're already on the register, contact your local Electoral Registration Office if you live in England, Scotland or Wales or the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI) if you live in Northern Ireland. Deadlines have now passed to register.
Where do I vote?
You can check where your polling station is or who you need to contact if you need help by entering your postcode on the Electoral Commission website.
What is voter ID?
Voter ID is a form of photo ID people must show at their polling station in order to cast a ballot.
The new rule was brought in under the Elections Act 2022, with the government saying they were necessary to combat the risk of in-person voter fraud. It was first enforced at the 2023 set of local elections in England.
People without valid voter ID can apply for one, although the deadline to vote in the 2024 election has now passed.
What are accepted forms of ID?
International travel
Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state (Opens in new window) or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card)
Driving and parking
Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
A Blue Badge
Local travel
Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
Freedom Pass
Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass)
60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Proof of age
Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
Other government issued documents
Biometric immigration document
Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
National identity card issued by an EEA state
Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
How to apply for an emergency proxy vote?
Under certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you can't vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote.
The situation leading to your application must be something that you weren't aware of before the normal proxy vote deadline, which was six working days before the election. Emergency proxy applications can be made up to 5pm on polling day.
Circumstances that may make you eligible for an emergency proxy vote include a medical emergency, being away for work or your photo ID being lost, stolen or damaged.
To arrange an emergency proxy, you need to contact the electoral services team at your local council.
Voting if you have a disability
If you have a disability and need information about physical access, for example wheelchair ramps and disabled parking spaces, low-level polling booths and/or any specific equipment you need, contact your local Electoral Registration Office.
Every polling station must provide at least one large print display version of the ballot paper.
What can I NOT do at a polling station?
You can only vote once – unless you are voting for both yourself and someone else as a proxy – and its illegal for anyone to influence you to vote against your will. Voting is also not compulsory.
You are not allowed to take a selfie within the polling station as the Electoral Commission says it risks the ballot's secrecy. You can, however, take photos outside.
