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Voting at a polling station

After an election is announced, if you are listed on the electoral register you will receive a poll card in the post which includes the name of your polling station.

Your polling station will typically be in a local public building (school, church hall etc.) and opens on election day from 7am to 10pm. To find out where your polling station is use our website to get details: 

Where do I vote

To vote at a polling station you must produce one of the following photographic identification documents:

  • A UK, Ireland or European Economic Area driving licence (photographic part) (provisional accepted)
  • A UK, Ireland or European Union passport (including the Irish Passport Card) (note: European Union passports are not accepted at UK Parliament elections)
  • A Translink Half Fare SmartPass, Senior SmartPass, 60+ SmartPass, War Disablement SmartPass or Registered Blind SmartPass 
  • A Biometric Immigration Document
  • An Electoral Identity Card

Your photographic identification document does not need to be current, but the photograph must be a good likeness of you to allow polling station staff to confirm your identity. It does not matter if the photographic identification document has a different address to your current address.

It is also very helpful if you bring your poll card with you to the polling station as this will help you and the polling station staff.

When you get to your polling place you will be directed to your polling station table, where

  1. A member of polling station staff will ask you to confirm your name and address.
  2. You will be asked to produce your photographic identification document.  
  3. Your name and electoral number will be read out and you will be issued with a ballot paper.
  4. You should then go to the polling booth, mark your ballot paper, fold it to conceal your vote and insert it in the ballot box.

If you need assistance you should ask a member of polling station staff.

Persons under 18 may accompany voters but polling station staff can limit access if they consider their attendance to be impeding the proceedings.

The doors to the polling station will close at 10pm. If at 10pm you are in the polling station, or in a queue outside the polling station, you will still be able to vote. If you arrive after 10pm you will not be able to vote.