You need to be registered and have photo ID to vote in the general election on 4 July 2024.
Social workers play an important role in supporting people who use services to register and get access to support to be able to vote. This is because people with social care needs, including disabled people, young people and older people, are at a much greater risk of being disenfranchised.
If you are not able to vote in-person you can vote by post, by proxy or without an address but the deadline to apply to do so has now passed.
It is a requirement to show photo ID when voting at a polling station and you must also bring this with you on the day.
When are polling stations open?
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on 4 July.
What photo ID is required?
Voters only need to show one form of photo ID, but it needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.
Any of the following can be used to vote at a polling station.
- Passport
- Driving licence (including provisional licence)
- Blue badge
- Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- Biometric immigration document
- Defence Identity card
- National Identity card
- Concessionary travel cards for older and disabled people including: an older or disabled person’s buss pass; Freedom Pass; Oyster 60+ cards.
If an accepted ID is out of date, it can still be used it to vote at a polling station as long as the photo still looks like the voter.
If someone does not have the accepted form of photo ID they can bring a voter ID document.
Who can vote?
All British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizens living in the UK who are 18 years old and over as long as they are registered to vote. However, even if someone has registered previously, they may need to register again if they have:
- never voted,
- turned 18 recently,
- moved house,
- changed name,
- changed nationality.
Voting if you have a disability
If you have a disability, your local Electoral Registration Office can tell you about:
- physical access, for example wheelchair ramps and disabled parking spaces
- low-level polling booths
- any specific equipment you need
Every polling station must provide at least one large print display version of the ballot paper.
