Elections and voting FAQs

Frequently asked questions

• What elections are there this year? 
• Am I registered to vote? 
• How do I register to vote? 
• Why do I need to register? 
• Who can register to vote? 
• I'm a student and I'm not sure where I should register to vote? 
• When can I register to vote? 
• Will my details appear on the register? 
• Can I vote in local government elections? 
• Where can I get information about candidates? 
• How do I find out where my polling station is? 
• I will be overseas temporarily on the day of the elections. How can I vote?
• What are polling hours for the next elections?
• Why haven't I received my poll card?
• Who can apply for a postal vote?
• Who can apply for a proxy vote?
• Can British citizens living abroad vote?
• I am in the Armed Forces living in the UK. How do I register to vote?

What elections are there this year?

The next scheduled elections are the District and Parish Elections and possible Referendum. These will be held on Thursday 5 May 2011.

Am I registered to vote?

If you filled in the annual canvass registration form that came through your door between August and November you should be registered.

If you have since moved house or changed your name then you need to register again. The electoral register is updated monthly between December and September. To check if you are registered, contact the Democratic Services Team via the online enquiry form at the bottom of this page (please ensure you include your address).

How do I register to vote?

To register to vote visit: Getting on the Electoral Register.

Why do I need to register?

You need to be on the electoral register to vote in all UK elections and referendums. You are not automatically registered even if you pay council tax. If you receive a request for your registration information from your local electoral registration office then you are legally obliged to respond. If you do not respond, or if you provide false information, then you could receive a £1,000 fine. Not being registered may also affect your credit rating.

Who can register to vote?

You can register to vote if you are:

• 16 or over (but you cannot vote until you are 18)
• A UK, Republic of Ireland or qualifying Commonwealth citizen. Qualifying Commonwealth citizens are those who have leave to enter or remain in the UK, or do not require such leave.
• A citizen of a European Union country living in the UK. A citizen of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British Overseas Territory living in the UK.

I'm a student and I'm not sure where I should register to vote?

Students may be entitled to register at both their home address and their university address, but can only vote once to the same elected chamber or position. For example, you may be registered in two different London Boroughs. You can vote once in each borough election as they are elections to two separate town halls, but at the London Mayor and assembly election you can only vote once as it is elections for the same body or post. The final decision on a registration rests with the electoral registration officer with whom you are trying to register. You should contact your local electoral registration office for further information.

When can I register to vote?

Most people register between September and November every year when the electoral registration office delivers a registration form to your home. This is known as the 'annual canvass'.

However, you can also register throughout the year as the register is updated every month between December and September. This is useful if you move home and need to register at your new address.

Will my details appear on the register?

The only details that appear on the register are name, address and a marker that determines which elections you can vote in. If you are under 18, the date of your 18th birthday will also be shown.

Can I vote in local government elections?

You can vote in local government elections if you have registered to vote in time for the election and are:

• a British citizen living in the UK
• a qualifying Commonwealth citizen living in the UK
• a citizen of the Irish Republic living in the UK
• a European Union citizen living in the UK
• registered to vote as a Crown Servant
• registered to vote as a service voter

To qualify Commonwealth citizens must live in the UK and either have leave to remain, or not require such leave.

You cannot vote in local government elections if you are a British citizen living abroad and are registered as an overseas elector.

NB: European Union Citizens cannot vote in the National referendum for the alternative voting system which will be combined with the local and parish elections on 5 May 2011.

Where can I get info about candidates?

There is no official source, so you should visit candidate websites, party websites, or write to the party.

How do I find out where my polling station is?

Your polling station's location will be on the poll card that will be delivered to you before polling day.

I will be overseas temporarily on the day of the elections. How can I vote?

If you are overseas on election day, you can apply to vote either by post or by proxy (to have someone else vote for you). You can find out more by visiting our pages onVoting by Proxy orVoting by Post.

What are polling hours for the next elections?

Polling hours are between 7am – 10pm for local elections. Make sure you look at your poll card (delivered to you before the election) to check that these times have not changed.

Why haven't I received my poll card?

You can still vote even if you do not have a poll card, as long as you are on the electoral register. You should check with us via the contact details at the bottom of this page whether you are on the electoral register and report the fact that you have not received your poll card.

If you have received a polling card for a former occupant of your property, do not worry as we will remove them from the register when they register to vote at another property or through the annual canvass.

Who can apply for a postal vote?

Anyone who is registered to vote can apply to vote by post. VisitVoting by Post for more information.

Who can apply for a proxy vote?

You can only apply for a long-term proxy vote if you have a specific reason such as a disability or being overseas.

To vote by proxy for just one election, you must have a reason, for example you will be on holiday or away due to work.

If you are suddenly incapacitated or taken ill, you can apply to vote by proxy for medical reasons up until 5pm on polling day. For more information and to apply, visit Voting by Proxy.

Can British citizens living abroad vote?

British citizens living abroad can vote in UK Parliamentary and European Parliamentary elections but cannot vote in local elections or elections to devolved bodies such as the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales or Greater London Authority.

British citizens living abroad for more than 15 years are not eligible to register to vote in UK elections.

I am in the Armed Forces living in the UK. How do I register to vote?

Service personnel and their husbands, wives or civil partners have the option of making a Service declaration, or can choose to register in the traditional way. They can vote in person or can opt to vote by post or proxy.

Postal votes are only sent out about a week before election day. If you are living abroad, it may be better to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf as there may not be enough time for your postal vote to reach you and be sent back before voting closes.

Related pages on this website

• Getting on the Electoral Register
• 2011 District and Parish Council elections
• Voting by post
• Voting by proxy
• Polling stations
• Types of elections

External links

Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI)
The OPSI site has the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002, which lists who can see the full electoral register and for what purposes.

The Electoral Commission
An independent organisation providing guidance, information and rules about elections and political parties.

Promote the Vote
This site aims to raise awareness by supporting and encouraging people with learning disabilities to have a better understanding of the voting process, to become active citizens and to register to vote.

About links to other websites.