Types of election, referendums, and who can vote

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Local government

Local government elections take place at least every 4 years. Not all local government elections take place at the same time.

Your local government will do one of the following:

  • elect all the local councillors every 4 years
  • elect half the local councillors every 2 years
  • elect one third of the local councillors every year for 3 years and hold no elections in the 4th year

Who can vote can in a local government election

You must:

  • be registered to vote
  • be 18 or over on the day of the election (‘polling day’) (16 or over in Scotland and Wales)
  • be registered at an address in the area you want to vote in
  • not be legally excluded from voting

If you live in England or Northern Ireland

You can vote if you’re a British citizen or an Irish citizen. 

You can also vote if you have permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man - or you do not need permission - and you’re a:

  • Commonwealth citizen 
  • citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain 
  • citizen of another EU country, if you have had permission to enter or stay - or not needed permission - since 31 December 2020, and this has continued without a break

If you live in Scotland

You can vote if you’re a British citizen or an Irish citizen.

You can also vote if you’re a citizen of another country and have permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or you do not need permission.

If you live in Wales

You can vote if you’re a British citizen, Irish citizen or a citizen of an EU country.

You can also vote if you’re a citizen of another country and have permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or you do not need permission.

How candidates are elected

Local government councillors in England and Wales are elected using the First Past the Post system. The ballot paper will tell you the number of candidates you can vote for.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, councillors are elected using the Single Transferable Vote system. You rank the candidates in order of preference.

When you can vote in more than one local election

If you live in 2 different local authority areas (for example because you’re a student), you may be able to vote in both areas.

You must register to vote in both areas. The local Electoral Registration Offices will check each application and tell you if you can register in both areas.

Read more about local government elections on the Electoral Commission website.

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’ll need to be registered to vote to take part in elections and referendums. You’ll 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. Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
    1. Find out more about voting by post

  6. or Apply for a proxy vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
    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