Who Can Vote?

To vote in an election you must fulfil certain requirements and your name must be on the electoral register.

Everyone who votes must be:

18 years of age or over on polling day
Resident in the UK
On the electoral register
Not subject to any legal incapacity to vote
A British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland

Please see the attachment on the right for a list of Commonwealth countries, British Overseas Territories, and EU member states whose citizens are eligible to register to vote in the UK.

Members of HM Forces and their spouses, and Crown servants employed outside the United Kingdom can vote in all three elections.

Are you an EU citizen?

If you are a European Union citizen and not a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen, you can vote in the Local and Mayoral Elections. You cannot vote in the General Election.

Are you an overseas elector?

If you are an overseas elector, you can vote in the General Election. You cannot vote in the Local and Mayoral Elections. You can choose to have your ballot paper sent to you overseas. However, it will only be sent out one or two weeks before an election, therefore, in order to ensure your vote is counted you are strongly advised to vote by proxy. For more information please visit the Ways to Vote page.

Page updated: 15 Jun 2010