Contents
Different ways to vote
Register to vote
Register to vote to get on the electoral register, or to change your details.
You need to be on the electoral register to vote in elections or referendums.
You only need to register once - not for every election. You’ll need to register again if you’ve changed your name, address or nationality.
What you need to know
You’ll be asked for your National Insurance number (but you can still register if you do not have one).
After you’ve registered, your name and address will appear on the electoral register.
Who can register
You must be aged 16 or over (you can't vote until you are 18).
You must also be one of the following:
- a British citizen
- an Irish or EU citizen living in the UK
- a Commonwealth citizen who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission
- a citizen of another country living in Scotland or Wales who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission
When an election is called, each registered elector will be sent a Poll Card advising where and when they can vote. These cards will usually be sent out approximately two weeks before the election. You do not need to take the card with you to the polling station. From May 2023 electors, who wish to vote in person - including those acting as a proxy on behalf of another individual - will be required to produce an accepted form of photographic ID to confirm their identity before they will be issued with a ballot paper at a polling station.
However, if you have applied for either a postal or a proxy vote you will be sent a separate notification.
Voting by post, by proxy or in person
Vote by post
Voting by post is an easy and convenient way of voting if you are unable to get to the polling station.
You can apply online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote
Alternatively if you would like a paper form please contact us on 01909 533252 or email elections@bassetlaw.gov.uk.
If your application has missing or incorrect information, we will contact you. You may need to provide supporting documents and it may take longer to process your application.
The deadline for returning your postal vote application is 5pm, 11 working days before the poll. If you are not registered to vote, you must apply to register before applying for a postal vote. The deadline to register to vote is midnight, 12 working days before the poll. Register to vote online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
When you have made an application for a postal vote we will confirm if it has been accepted or rejected.
A ballot paper will be sent direct to the address that you have given on your application. The ballot papers will be sent during the two weeks before election day. If you are going away please contact the elections office to find out when you should receive your postal vote.
There will be instructions with your ballot paper about how and where to return your vote. You will be required to complete a postal vote statement which will contain your signature and date of birth to return with your ballot paper.
You must ensure that it is delivered back before the close of poll on polling day.
Please note that if you choose to vote by post then you will not be able to vote in person at a polling station.
If you are unable to provide a consistent signature, please contact the Elections Office to apply for a signature waiver.
Vote by proxy
Proxy voting means that if you cannot vote in person, you can have someone you trust vote on your behalf.
To vote by proxy, both you and your proxy must be registered and eligible to vote.
A proxy can vote for a maximum of 4 people. No more than 2 of those people can be domestic electors. Domestic electors are voters who are neither overseas voters nor service voters.
You can apply online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote
Alternatively if you would like a paper form please contact us on 01909 533252 or email us at elections@bassetlaw.gov.uk
For more information on proxy voting and other ways to apply, visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/ways-vote/apply-vote-proxy
When applying for a new proxy vote, you must return your application form by 5pm, 6 working days before the poll.
When changing or cancelling an existing postal, proxy or postal proxy vote, you must return your application form by 5pm, 11 working days before the poll.
If you are not already registered to vote, you must apply to register before applying for a proxy vote. The deadline to register to vote is midnight, 12 working days before the poll. Register to vote online at: gov.uk/register-to-vote.
If you find that you are able to vote in person at your polling station on polling day, you can still do this but only if you go to the polling station before your proxy does.
From May 2023, electors acting as a proxy on behalf of another individual will be required to produce an accepted form of photographic ID to confirm their identity before they will be issued with a ballot paper at a polling station.
Vote by postal proxy
If your proxy can't get to the polling station, they can apply to vote for you by post.
Absent vote signature refresh
If you have not requested a postal or proxy vote, we will send you an ordinary poll card before election day.
The location of your polling station will be printed on your poll card along with the times between which you can go along and vote (7.00am to 10.00pm).
The poll card is for your information only. You do not need to take it to the polling station in order to vote, although it will help the polling staff if you do. From May 2023 electors, who wish to vote in person - including those acting as a proxy on behalf of another individual - will be required to produce an accepted form of photographic ID to confirm their identity before they will be issued with a ballot paper at a polling station.
Please note that any application form can be emailed to elections@bassetlaw.gov.uk
The Elections helpline telephone number is 01909 533 252
For more information about the voting system, please go to The Electoral Commission website.
Find my Polling Station
Last Updated on Tuesday, January 27, 2026