How to vote: UK General Election 2024
People across the UK and in Scotland will vote for their next Member of Parliament on Thursday, July 4th. We have all the information you need before you head out to vote.
How do I vote?
You must be aged 18 or older to vote in a UK General Election. You can register to vote today.
When you arrive at the polling station staff will ask for your name, address, and identification. You will then be given a ballot paper containing a list of candidates for which you can vote.
This is the first election in Scotland where photo identification is required, this is following legislation passed by the Conservatives at Westminster which disenfranchises young people and those on lower incomes. The Scottish Greens have raised concerns about the requirement for Voter ID as it will limit those who are able to vote.
A full list of accepted photographic identification is available below:
- a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- a driving licence issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands*
- a UK passport
- a passport issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country*
- a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- a Blue Badge
- a biometric residence permit (BRP)*
- a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
- a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein*
- a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
- a Voter Authority Certificate
- an Anonymous Elector’s Document
*to vote in Westminster elections, you must be a citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
In this election, you are required to mark the box next to a single candidate's name with a cross (X).
You can only vote for one candidate in this election.
When can I vote?
Polling stations across Scotland usually open at 7 am and will close at 10 pm. You must be registered to vote.
If you are a registered postal voter, your ballot paper should arrive a few weeks before polling day. If you have not received a postal vote by the day of the election, you can still vote at a polling station. You can register for a postal vote here.
Where can I vote?
If you are registered to vote, you will receive a poll card through the post, which will contain information regarding your polling station. If you are unsure of your local polling station, you can use your postcode to search on your local authorities' website.
