Everything you need
to vote

Used for UK general elections and most English local elections. Mark a single X next to one candidate. The candidate with the most votes wins — even without a majority. Critics argue it produces disproportionate results; supporters say it produces strong, stable governments.

Used for the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd. You receive two ballot papers: the first uses FPTP for a local constituency representative; the second uses proportional representation (D'Hondt) to elect regional members, correcting for disproportionality. You can vote for different parties on each paper.

Used for Northern Ireland Assembly elections and Scottish local council elections. Multiple candidates are elected per constituency. Voters rank candidates in preference order (1, 2, 3…). Votes transfer when candidates are elected with surplus votes or are eliminated. It minimises wasted votes and produces broadly proportional results.

Yes. Since the Elections Act 2022, voters in Great Britain must show photo ID at polling stations for UK Parliamentary and English local elections. Accepted forms include a UK passport, driving licence, Blue Badge, and certain concessionary travel cards. Northern Ireland has required photo ID since 2003.

Apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate from your local council. Applications typically close six working days before polling day — apply early.

Register at gov.uk/register-to-vote before the deadline (typically 12 working days before polling day). You will need your National Insurance number.

Yes. Apply for a postal vote to vote from home, or appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. Both require advance applications; apply via your local council or gov.uk.