Which elections can I vote in?

There are different types of elections in the UK, but remember, you can only vote in elections if your name is on the electoral register.

Local Government elections

A person can vote in local government elections if they are:

• a British citizen living in the UK
• a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or European Union citizen
• a citizen of the Irish Republic living in the UK
• registered to vote as a Crown Servant
• registered to vote as a service voter

A person cannot vote in local government elections if they are:

• A British citizen living abroad and are registered as an overseas elector

UK Parliamentary general elections

A person can vote in UK parliamentary general election if they are:

• be 18 years of age or over on polling day
• be a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland
• not be subject to any legal incapacity to vote

At a general election, the following cannot vote:

• anyone under 18 years old
• members of the House of Lords, who can vote at elections to local authorities, devolved legislatures and the European Parliament
• EU citizens resident in the UK
• citizens of any country apart from the UK, Irish Republic, and Commonwealth countries
• convicted persons detained in pursuance of their sentences (though remand, unconvicted and civil prisoners can vote)
• anyone found guilty within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal practices in connection with an election