How to vote

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Voting by post

You must apply for a postal vote if you want to vote by post, for example if:

  • you’re away from home
  • you’re abroad and want to vote in England, Scotland or Wales

You do not need to give a reason unless you’re voting in Northern Ireland.

Deadline for registering to vote in the General Election

Register by 11:59pm on 18 June 2024 to vote in the General Election on 4 July 2024.

If you want to apply for a postal vote online, you must apply by 5pm on 19 June 2024.

If you want to apply for a postal vote by post, you must get your postal vote application to your local Electoral Registration Office by 5pm on 19 June 2024.

If you live abroad

If you live abroad and want to vote by postal vote, make sure you apply for and return your postal vote as soon as possible. It can take a long time for your ballot pack to reach you and get back to the UK, especially if your local postal services are irregular or if you live far from the UK. 

The Electoral Commission advises people living overseas to apply for a proxy vote if possible.

Apply for a postal vote

You can apply for a postal vote for one of the following:

  • a single election on a specific date
  • a specific period if you want to vote in England, Scotland or Wales
  • up to 3 years

You can:

There’s a different form to apply to vote by post in Northern Ireland.

Change where your postal vote is sent

Make a new application for a postal vote if you move house or you’ll be away from home when the postal vote is sent out.

There’s a different form for Northern Ireland.

Completing and returning your postal vote

When voting by post, you should:

  • mark your vote on your ballot paper in secret
  • fill in the postal voting statement
  • put the ballot and statement in the envelope provided
  • seal the envelope yourself

Post your ballot back as quickly as possible to make sure it’s counted.

If you’re too late to post your ballot paper

Take it to your local polling station by 10pm on election day, or Electoral Registration Office before it closes. 

If you are voting in Northern Ireland, you can only hand in your postal vote at an Electoral Registration Office.

Your vote will be rejected if you do not give your ballot paper to a member of staff at the polling station or Electoral Registration Office and complete a form. Do not post your ballot paper through the letterbox of the Electoral Registration Office. 

You can hand in your own postal vote and postal votes for up to 5 other voters. If you are a political campaigner, the 5 other voters must be family members or people you provide regular care for.

Replace a lost or damaged ballot paper

Your ballot paper needs to clearly display your details and voting choice. If it has been damaged you need to get another one.

You can either:

  • ask your local Electoral Registration Office to post a replacement

  • collect a replacement from your local Electoral Registration Office up to 5pm on election day (or the day before in Northern Ireland)

You cannot vote at a polling station if you registered to vote by post but your ballot paper was lost or damaged.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Vote in UK elections

  1. Step 1 Check if you can vote

    1. Check which elections you can vote in

  2. Step 2 Register to vote

    You need to register to vote in elections and referendums. You need to register again if you have changed your name, address or nationality.

    1. Register to vote online
    1. Register to vote using a paper form

  3. Step 3 Decide if you want to vote in person, by post, or by proxy

    1. Find out the different ways you can vote

  4. Step 4 Get ready to vote in person

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    Contact your local electoral registration office to find your polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility needs.

    1. Contact the local electoral registration office

  5. or Apply for a postal vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    You must apply no later than 5pm, 11 working days before the election.

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland

  6. or Apply for a proxy vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    You must apply by 5pm, at least 6 working days before polling day.

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland

  7. or Get ready to vote as a proxy

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    Contact the local electoral registration office of the person you are a proxy for to find their polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility issues.

    1. Contact the local electoral registration office

  8. Step 5 Vote in person

    1. Vote in person

  9. or Vote by post

    1. You are currently viewing: Vote by post

  10. or Vote as a proxy for someone else

    1. Vote as a proxy for someone else