Your Vote is Your Voice

You need to register before you are eligible to vote. Please visit our Register to Vote section for more details on how to register. Once you are registered, you are able to have your say on important issues that affect your everyday life.

In the UK, there are a number of voting methods and it’s up to you to choose the method you find easiest or most convenient. The most common choice is to vote in person at a polling station. However, if you are not able to go to the polling station in person on election day, you can apply to vote by post or by proxy (someone voting on your behalf).

Voting in Person

Your polling card will outline which polling place you need to attend and this can be found in the link below which will bring up the location map. To vote in person at a polling station, please click the link below to find your local polling place.

• When you go to the polling station, tell the clerk your name and address, as shown on the front of the poll card (which you should automatically receive if you are registered to vote). The clerk will confirm your details on the register.
• When you are given your ballot paper, go to one of the polling booths. Mark a cross (X) in the box on the right hand side of the ballot paper opposite the name of the party or individual candidate you are voting for.
• Vote for ONE party or individual candidate only. Do not put any other mark on the ballot paper, or your vote may not count.
• If you spoil your ballot paper by mistake, show it to the presiding officer and ask for a replacement.
• Once you have voted, fold the ballot paper in two. Show the presiding officer the number and other unique identifying mark on the back the ballot paper, but do not let anyone see your vote. Put the ballot paper in the ballot box and leave the polling station.

You can also visit a virtual polling station by visiting the About My Vote website, which provides step by step information on how to vote in person.

Voting by Postal Vote

To vote by postal vote, you will need to fill in an application form and you can get further information and advice from the Electoral Registration Office, which is your local Electoral Registration Office. You can either call the local office on 0800 9800470 or visit their website

Anyone aged 18 or over can apply for a postal vote. You do not need a reason to vote by post.

Voting by Proxy

You can apply to vote by proxy (this means someone else can vote on your behalf). Your application must be received before 5pm on Wednesday 27 May 2009. If you appoint a proxy, you can still vote in this election yourself if you do so before your proxy has voted for you.

In certain circumstances it may be possible to apply to vote by proxy after Wednesday 27 May 2009.

You can get further information and advice on proxy voting from the local Electoral Registration Office. You can either call the local office on 0800 9800470 or visit their website