The tool resolves your postcode to a parliamentary constituency, local authority, mayoral combined authority and police force area — so you see every election that applies to you, not just the next general one.

Choose UK resident, UK & Commonwealth, EU citizen, overseas voter, or service voter. Eligibility for each election type depends on your status — for example EU citizens can vote in local elections in some councils but not in UK Parliamentary elections.

Each election shows the polling day, the registration deadline, the voter ID deadline, the postal vote deadline and the proxy deadline — with traffic-light urgency. Anything < 7 days away is highlighted red.

The Voter ID tab shows the full list of accepted documents under the 2023 Elections Act, including expired IDs (still accepted if photo is recognisable). If you have nothing on the list, the tool walks you through the Voter Authority Certificate application.

The Postal & Proxy tab compares your three options with the deadlines, paperwork and pros/cons. If you travel for work, you may want a permanent postal vote on file regardless of any current election.

The personalised action checklist shows exactly what you need to do and by when: register, choose ID, apply for postal/proxy if needed, confirm your address. Save the page to revisit closer to the election.

The Elections Act 2022, in force from May 2023, introduced photo ID at polling stations, changed postal vote rules to require renewal every 3 years, removed the 15-year limit on overseas voting, and tightened postal vote handling rules. The accepted ID list and Voter Authority Certificate scheme were both new with this Act.

Subsequent updates (2024) tightened postal vote application processes (in-person verification of identity for first-time applicants in some councils) and enabled online proxy applications.

UK passport, UK driving licence (full or provisional), Blue Badge, Older Person's Bus Pass, Disabled Person's Bus Pass, Oyster 60+ card, Freedom Pass, Scottish National Entitlement Card (60+), Welsh concessionary travel card, Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card, biometric immigration document (BRP), Defence Identity Card, Voter Authority Certificate, Anonymous Elector's Document.

Expired IDs are accepted as long as the photo is still recognisably you. International (non-UK) passports and driving licences are NOT accepted.

Apply online at gov.uk/apply-postal-vote with your name, address, date of birth and signature (uploaded as photo). The ballot pack arrives 1–2 weeks before polling day. Mark the ballot, complete the postal vote statement (signature + date of birth), seal in the envelopes provided, post back or hand in to a polling station on the day.

Returning a postal vote is now restricted: you cannot hand in more than 5 (other people's) postal votes per election (Elections Act). You can hand in your own at any time.

Standard proxy: appoint someone to vote for you. Apply by 5 pm 6 working days before polling day at gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote.

Emergency proxy: available up to 5 pm on polling day for sudden illness or work travel that arises after the standard proxy deadline. You will need supporting evidence (e.g. doctor's note, employer letter).

Overseas proxy: British citizens living abroad can appoint a proxy or vote by post. Postal voting from overseas is unreliable for tight elections — most overseas voters use proxy.

Eligibility differs by election type. UK Parliamentary general elections: British, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK or registered overseas voters.

Local elections (England): British, Irish, qualifying Commonwealth, and EU citizens with retained rights (those resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 with settled status, plus citizens of countries with bilateral agreements — currently Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Poland, Denmark).

Scotland and Wales local elections: more inclusive — all foreign nationals with leave to remain can vote.