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register to vote

Make sure you're registered to vote

Please remember that you need to be registered to vote and if you are voting at a polling station, it is a legal requirement to bring photo ID.

For many students, this will be the first time you have the opportunity to vote. Students make up 10% of the UK voting population, the voice of students is so important in shaping the future of our country.

There are also a range of benefits to registering to vote beyond the ability to go to the ballot box. Being on the electoral roll can have benefits for your credit score, ability to access certain services and it may even make job applications easier. Find out more.

Register to Vote

Ways you can vote
In person
Attend a polling station
  • You will need to be eligible and registered to vote.
  • You will need to show valid ID
  • Find your nearest polling station, or how to find your nearest polling station, via the postcode checker below
By post
Vote by registering for a postal ballot

If you're away from home and/or you're abroad and want to vote in England, Scotland and Wales then you can apply for a postal vote which means that you will receive a ballot paper through the post which you can complete and post back.

Key things to note about postal votes/voting by post:

  • You will need to have registered for a postal vote
  • If you want to vote in a constituency that is registered to an address you're not currently living in (for example, if you wanted to vote in Plymouth but you are not currently living in your term-time address) then you will need to request a redirect to receive the paper ballot to the address you are currently living at outside of term-time, find out more.
  • It's important to remember that although you can register to vote in your term-time and non-term-time constituencies you are only allowed to vote in one location for the General Election
By proxy
Ask a trusted person to vote on your behalf

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  • If you are unable to attend a polling station on the day of an election, you can nominate a 'proxy' which is basically a person who you trust to complete your ballot paper on your behalf.
  • You need to have registered for a proxy vote in advance, for example if you are unwell on polling day you couldn't ask someone to do yours for you unless permission had been given by the deadline set.
Voter ID

Voter ID

All voters are now required to show photo ID when casting their vote at a polling station.

Double check you've got an accepted form of ID to use on polling day here.

Accepted ID includes:

  • a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving license (full or provisional)
  • a driving license issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
  • a UK passport
  • a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)

Don't have ID? There are two ways that you can get ID ahead of the General Election for free:

  1. Voter Authority Certificate This certificate can only be used for the purpose of voting in elections and referendums in England, Scotland and Wales - you will not be able to use it as proof of identification for any other reason. Find out more here.

  2. NUS CitizenCard NUS have collaborated with CitizenCard to allow students to sign up for a free CitizenCard. Not only can you use your CitizenCard to vote in elections but it's also a valid proof of age ID for nights out - ideal if you don't want to risk losing other forms of ID. Find out more and apply here using the code "NUS" to save £18.

Make sure that you check the deadline for ordering your ID to arrive before the 4th July. The deadline for Voter Authority Certificates is usually two weeks before the polling/election date..

where do I vote?
Elections FAQ's
What is a general election?
You will have had to work hard to avoid hearing the term ‘general election’ over the last few days and weeks, but do you know what it actually involves? In short, a general election decides who runs the country. At a general election people over the age of 18 in every part of the UK have the opportunity to choose who they want to represent them in the House of Commons as their MP.

Find out more: www.parliament.uk/about/how/elections-and-voting/general/
How do I register to vote?
You can register to vote here: gov.uk/register-to-vote

To register to vote you will be asked for your National Insurance number (you can still register without one).

If you are unsure if you have already registered you can contact your local Electoral Registration Office here: gov.uk/contact-electoral-registration-office.
Do I vote at my University or home/non-term-time address?
If you live in two different local authority areas, which many students do, you can be registered to vote in both places but you can only cast your vote in a General Election in one location.

Find out more about voting as a student here: Students | Electoral Commission
Can I vote if I am an international student?
To vote in the local elections you must be either a British Citizen, an EU citizen living in the UK or a Commonwealth citizen who has permission to enter to stay in the UK.

If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible to vote as an international student, check out this Can I Vote? Tool here: Home - Can I Vote?
Can I access support if I have a disability?
Polling staff will be able to offer support on polling day, or you can bring someone with you. In England, anyone over the age of 18 can help you cast your vote. They do not need to be eligible to vote in that election.

Polling stations should have large-print sample ballot papers, and tactile voting devices to help people with visual impairments.

You can take your phone into the polling booth to use magnifier or text-to-speech apps, or the phone torch to improve lighting. But you must not take any photos inside the polling station.

Source - www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-56849080
Can I pick which polling station I vote at?
Once you have registered to vote you will receive a poll card through the post and this will detail which polling station you will need to vote at on Thursday 4th July. You cannot pick another polling station as you will only be registered to vote at one location.
What happens at the polling station when I go to vote?
For many students you may find that you're visiting this page because it's the first time you will be eligible to vote.
This might be quite intimidating for some but here's an idea of what to expect when you arrive at the polling station:

  • Ahead of the election and if you are voting in person, you will be sent a poll card which will tell you when to vote and where your local polling station is.
  • You don’t need to take your own pen/pencil with you, you will be provided one there.
  • Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on polling day.
  • When you arrive you will give your name and address to the polling staff and you will be asked to show photo ID.
  • You will then be given a ballot paper on which you can make your vote. The ballot paper will have instructions on how you should fill this in. This is done in private and you should not show anyone else your ballot.
  • You are not allowed to take photographs in the polling station at any time; including selfies or while you’re filling in your ballot paper. This is a rule set by the Electoral Commission which oversees UK elections.
  • You also cannot reveal how someone else has voted – the punishment (even if you do this accidentally) is a fine of up to £5000 or possibly even up to six months in prison.
  • Political discussion, for example - discussing candidates or political parties, is banned inside polling stations – so make sure that you do your research before heading to cast your vote.
What if I’m unable to vote in person?
If you are unable to vote in person, you should apply for a postal vote in advance. You do not have to give a reason.
Apply for a postal vote.

You can also register for a proxy vote – this means that you nominate someone else to vote on your behalf. Both you and your proxy must be registered to vote in the UK before you can apply.
Find out more here: www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote.
What ID can I use?
Accepted photo IDs include:
  • Passport
  • Driving license
  • PASS card

For a full list, see the electoral commission site: electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id.

If you need alternative photo ID you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate: gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.

You can do this if you do not have an accepted photo ID, you have a different name on your ID to one on the electoral register or you no longer look like your photo ID.