Who can register to vote?
You can register from the age of 16, although you must be 18 or over to vote.
If you live in England or Northern Ireland, you can register if you are:
- a British or Irish citizen
- a Commonwealth citizen, including Cyprus and Malta
- a citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain
- a citizen of another EU country who was living in the UK before 31 December 2020 and has continued to live here
You must also have permission to live in the UK, or not require permission.
How to register
Registering is quick and can be done online in just a few minutes.
The deadline to register for the upcoming local elections is 20 April 2026, so make sure you complete your registration before then.
If you miss the deadline, you won’t be able to vote in this election.
Being registered can also help improve your credit profile, which can make things like renting, getting a mobile contract, or applying for credit easier.
What happens after you register?
Once you’re registered, you’ll receive a polling card in the post. This will tell you where your polling station is.
You don’t need to bring your polling card with you on the day. You can still vote by giving your name and address when you arrive.
Voting on the day
Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm, and you can vote at any point during that time.
If you want to avoid queues, it’s usually quieter in the late morning or early afternoon.
Voting is simple. You’ll be given a ballot paper and asked to mark your chosen candidate by following the instructions provided.
Voting as a student
If you’re a student, you can register at both your home address and your term-time address.
However, you can only vote once in the same election, so make sure you choose one location.
What ID do you need?
You’ll need to bring an accepted form of photo ID when you vote. This can include:
- a passport
- a driving licence, including provisional
- a PASS card
Other accepted forms include a Blue Badge, Freedom Pass, biometric immigration document, or a Voter Authority Certificate.
What if you’re not available on the day?
If you can’t attend your polling station, you can apply for a proxy vote. This allows someone you trust to vote on your behalf.
Make sure you apply before the deadline so your vote can still be counted.
