How to vote in the UK General Election: Everything you need to know

A voter places a ballot paper. Credit: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

It is election day in the United Kingdom, with millions of people set to cast their votes at polling stations across the country.

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently-asked questions about voting:

  • When can I vote?

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.

  • How do I find my polling station?

You should have received a polling card in the weeks leading up to the election, containing the location of your polling station and directions to get there.

If you have misplaced it, or are still unsure of where your polling station is, you can contact your local electoral registration office. The contact details can be found by entering your postcode on the Electoral Commission website.

  • Can I vote at any polling station?

No, you have to vote at your designated polling station.

  • Do I have to be registered before I arrive?

Yes, you needed to have your name on the electoral register by 20 April to be eligible to vote.

  • What do I need to take with me?

You do not need to have your polling card to vote.

Unless you are voting in Northern Ireland, no ID is required either.

Northern Irish voters are required to produce one piece of photo ID: more information can be found on the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland website.

  • Who and what will I be voting for?

In voting for the General Election, you will be asked to vote for a candidate running as member of parliament for your constituency.

The candidate with the most votes will be elected to represent the constituency in Westminster.

In some areas, local elections will also be running, so you will be asked to select candidates for council seats.

  • How do I vote at the polling station?

When you arrive at the polling station, the staff there will ask your name and cross it off a list.

You will be given a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for in the General Election (you will be given additional papers if is more than one election taking place that day - for example, for your local council).You should then take the paper to a booth where noone can see your choices.

To choose the candidate you want, place an X in the box next to their name with a pen or pencil. If you do not follow the instructions as laid out on the paper - for example, marking more than one box on the same paper when asked to choose only one - your vote may not be valid.

When finished, fold the paper so others can't see what you have chosen and place it in the ballot box.

  • What if I make a mistake?

If you have made a mistake you can ask for a replacement paper as long as you haven't already placed the original in the box.

  • Can I get help if I have a disability?

If you have a disability, you can ask the Presiding Officer to mark the ballot paper for you. Someone else can also help you a long as they are either a relative or eligible to vote.

Voters with visual impairments can ask for a large print ballot paper or for a special voting device.

  • What if I cannot make it to the polling station?

If you have a medical emergency, or if your work prevents you from getting to a polling station, you can apply for an emergency proxy up to 5pm on polling day. The proxy can be anyone aged over 18 registered to vote.