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STEP 1: CHECK IF ELECTIONS ARE TAKING PLACE IN YOUR AREA
Not everywhere in the UK is is voting on May 7th, so the first step is to find out whether you have an election in your area.
If you live in Scotland or Wales, you’ll be voting for your national Parliament and in parts of England, local councils and mayors are up for election.
We’ll help you check your eligibility and direct you to your local polling station.
STEP 2: GET VOTE-READY
You must be registered by 11:59pm on Monday 20 April 2026.
If you have moved house, changed your name, or changed nationality since you last registered, you need to register again by this date. It only takes 5 minutes to register online here.(https://qrco.de/GiveanX)
It depends on where you live!
• In Scotland and Wales: You can vote in these elections if you are 16 or older on May 7th, 2026.
• In England: You must be 18 or older on May 7th, 2026, to vote in the local and mayoral elections.
Your polling station will be listed on your polling card, which is sent to you in the weeks leading up to the election. You do not need your polling card to vote, but it helps you find the right place.
If you’ve lost your card or aren't sure where to go, you can click here to find your polling station by postcode.(https://wheredoivote.co.uk/)
Only if you are voting in England.
• England: Yes. You must bring a valid form of photo ID to the polling station.
• Scotland and Wales: No. You do not need to show photo ID to vote in the Scottish Parliament, Senedd, or local council elections.
Accepted forms of photo ID (for England):
• Passport (UK, EU, EEA, or Commonwealth)
• Driving licence (including provisional)
• Blue Badge
• PASS card (Identity card with the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram)
• Under 22s Bus Pass (Scotland) and Young Scot Cards are accepted if you are travelling to vote in an English election, but remember: ID is only required for those voting in English local/mayoral races.
Note: Your ID can be expired, as long as the photo still looks like you.
Please visit the Electoral Commission website to find out more about voter ID requirements in the UK.(https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id)
Voting early is a great way to make sure your voice is heard if you can’t get to a polling station on the day. You can do this via a postal vote (sent to your home) or a proxy vote (someone else voting for you).
Yes! You can apply for a postal vote for a single election or on a permanent basis.
• Apply online for a postal vote here.(https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote)
• Deadline: Your application must be received by 5pm on April 21st, 2026.
A proxy vote allows someone you trust to vote on your behalf at your polling station.
• Apply online for a proxy vote here.(https://www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote)
• Deadline: Your application must be received by 5pm on April 28th, 2026.
If you have moved (including moving for university), you must update your voter registration to your new address. You can update your registration online here.(https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote)
Decisions about your local schools, transport, and environment are made by the people elected on May 7th. Registering ensures you have a say in who makes those decisions and helps build an engaged generation that politicians cannot afford to ignore.
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