Registering to vote will allow you to have your say in local elections, General Elections and referenda. Make sure your voice is heard and register to vote – it takes just five minutes!
Register online
- Visit the Government’s website to register to vote.
- You will need your National Insurance number (but can still register if you don’t have one!) You can find your National Insurance number on your payslip or on letters from the Government about benefits, tax or pensions.
- You can also use this website to change your name or address if you’ve recently moved house.
- You only need to register once – not for every election.
When do I need to register to vote?
- The closing date for registering to vote is midnight on Tuesday 26 November. Deadline for registering for a postal vote is before 5pm on 26 November if you live in England, Scotland or Wales.
Who can register?
- You’re eligible to vote in elections if you’re both: aged 18 and over (or 16 and over in Scotland.)
- a UK citizen (or an Irish, EU or Commonwealth citizen with a permanent UK address.)
I’m not able to vote on Thursday 12 December, can I still vote?
- If you are not available on the date of the General Election, you can register for a postal vote or vote by proxy.
- Students are able to register to vote at both their home and term-time addresses. Although you’ll only be able to vote at one location.
Postal vote
- You can apply for a postal vote online.
- You can have an application form for the postal vote emailed or sent to you in the post. You must return your postal vote application form by 5pm Wednesday 27 November 2019.
Voting by Proxy
- You can appoint someone else to place your vote. Anyone who is registered to vote can act as your proxy. There are a variety of different forms to fill in depending on the reason for requiring a proxy.
Do I need a permanent address?
- You can still vote even without a fixed address, whether you are homeless, sofa surfing or in temporary accommodation. To register, you need to give an address where you would be living if it were not for your current situation or an address where you have lived in the past. If you are homeless, you can give details of where you spend a substantial part of your time. You can download an application form online.