How to vote

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Voting from abroad

How you vote when you鈥檙e abroad depends on:

  • whether you鈥檒l be abroad temporarily or living abroad
  • where you want to vote

If you鈥檒l be abroad temporarily

You can vote by post or proxy if you鈥檒l be abroad temporarily on election day, for example on holiday or a work trip.

Voting in England, Scotland or Wales

You can arrange:

If you鈥檙e abroad on election day you need to make arrangements in advance. Apply to vote by proxy if the election or referendum is less than 2 weeks away and you have not made arrangements yet.

Your postal ballot will be sent to the address you鈥檝e chosen no earlier than 16 days before the election. You need to return your ballot before 10pm on polling day.

Voting in Northern Ireland

There鈥檚 a different process to and will be abroad temporarily on election day.

If you will not have time to receive and return your postal ballot in Northern Ireland before going abroad you鈥檒l need to vote by proxy. You cannot apply to have your postal vote sent outside the UK.

If you鈥檙e moving or living abroad

You can vote in UK Parliament elections. You may be able to vote in referendums. Each referendum has different rules on who can vote in it.

You need to register as an overseas voter.

You can vote by post or vote by proxy.

Find out how to vote if you鈥檙e registered as an overseas voter.

If you鈥檙e registered in Northern Ireland, you cannot vote by post from abroad.

Get help voting

You can contact your electoral register office to find out when postal votes might be sent. This could help you decide whether to vote by proxy or by post.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Vote in UK elections

  1. Step 1 Check if you can vote

    1. Check which elections you can vote in

  2. Step 2 Register to vote

    You鈥檒l need to be registered to vote to take part in elections and referendums. You鈥檒l need to register again if you change your name, address or nationality.

    1. Register to vote - apply online
    1. Register to vote - apply by post

  3. Step 3 Decide if you want to vote in person, by post, or by proxy

    1. Find out the different ways you can vote

  4. Step 4 Get ready to vote in person

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    If you do not have photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

    1. Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate

    Contact your electoral registration office to find your polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility needs.

    1. Contact your electoral registration office

  5. or Apply for a postal vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    1. Find out more about voting by post

  6. or Apply for a proxy vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    1. Find out more about voting by proxy - including when you must apply by

  7. or Get ready to vote as a proxy

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    Contact the electoral registration office of the person you are a proxy for to find their polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility issues.

    1. Contact the electoral registration office

  8. Step 5 Vote in person

    1. Vote in person

  9. or Vote by post

    1. Vote by post

  10. or Vote as a proxy for someone else

    1. Vote as a proxy for someone else