Election FAQs
If registered to vote, you will receive a polling card in the post a few weeks before the election it will have details of your polling station, (or you can find it here). Polling stations open from 7am – 10pm on the day of the election.
You can also register for a proxy or postal vote, if you cannot go to a polling station on election day.
If you don’t vote you have not shown preference for anyone standing in the election, or any side in a referendum campaign. Your vote will not be counted for either side or directly affect the result.
Voting is an important part of the political process, it’s your chance to have your say about the future of your community or the country. However what happens if you don’t agree with any of the candidates available to you? Spoiling your ballot is one way to show your dissatisfaction.
Living in a safe seat doesn’t necessarily mean your vote won’t make a difference.
In 2017 there were 14.5m non voters, that’s more potential votes than any one party received. If all of these people went to the polling station, then the outcome could be very different – even in constituencies seen as ‘safe’.
See a full list of reasons why voting in a safe seat is still important.
When you vote in an election you’re voting for a candidate to represent your area. Many candidates are part of a political party, these are organisations made up of candidates and supporters who all have fairly similar beliefs.
However these groups usually incorporate a range of opinions, so candidates may not agree with every single thing their political party says and does. To get a more accurate idea of what your local candidates stand for it is best to contact them directly.
Rumours about votes being rubbed out, or ballot papers being added to counts, at UK elections are just that – unfounded rumours.
Read our Q&A with Peter Stanyon, the chief executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators, who tells us about the security measures in place that keep our votes safe.
Yes, just add the election to your calendar of choice using the tool below. It’ll then be in your diary and you’ll be reminded a few days before.
Add event to calendar
Register To Vote
Unfortunately, the deadlines to register to vote and apply for a postal vote in these elections have already passed. You can however, still register or apply for a postal vote for future elections.
