Voting is the act of using a ballot to elect others, for example within a workplace or in political associations. It is also used to select roles in larger organizations such as countries, though voting in these contexts is typically confined to periodic elections. Voting may occur informally with a show of hands or a verbal agreement, or formally via a written ballot.
If you are on the electoral register you will receive a poll card before an election telling you where to vote, usually a school or local hall. If you wish to have your vote sent to you by post you will need to apply to register for a postal vote.
On election day when you arrive at your polling station you will be asked to give a proof of identity. You can use the online checker to find out what types of ID are accepted. You can also find out about other support you can get to help you vote.
If you live in the UK or have British citizenship you are eligible to vote in parliamentary, European parliament, council and London Assembly elections. If you are a citizen of another EU country or a Crown servant or British council employee with a permit to stay in the UK, or if you have permanent settled status in the UK, you can vote at your home address or abroad. You can also vote by proxy or by post.