Voting: The facts

  • Unless you have a postal vote, you need to go to your local polling station between 7am-10pm on election day. This is likely to be a local school, library, place of worship or community centre. Find out where yours is here.

  • You need photo ID to vote, otherwise you could be turned away.

  • You will need to show your photo ID. Then staff at the polling station will give you your ballot paper and explain what you need to do. You don’t need to bring your polling card or anything else. There’s more info here about what to expect and also what to do if you can’t vote in person.

  • If you don’t have any of the forms of photo ID on this list, you can apply for a free Citizen Card from NUS (you don’t have to be a student) or a Voter Identity Certificate. You need to apply any time during the 12 working days before the election, so why not do it now?

“In the last three general elections, younger people were less likely to vote than older people, and turnout rises as people get older.” (British election study)

If younger people are less likely to vote, then politicians are less likely to listen to what they want. Voting, whether your preferred candidate wins or not, gives you a voice.

Next > Preparing to vote