Your voice matters: Register to vote

As the UK prepares for a general election later this year, here's what you need to know to stay informed and ensure your voice is heard.

Importantly, the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections will take place on Thursday 2 May 2024. To participate, make sure you're registered to vote by Tuesday 16 April.

Key dates for the 2 May elections:

Registering to vote

It’s really quick and simple – if you’re eligible to vote you just need to complete the form. When registering online you’ll be asked for your name, nationality, address, whether you’ve recently moved house, and your National Insurance Number.

If you don’t have a National Insurance Number (NI) you can register for a register for a NI Number.

You'll usually be able to find your NI Number on your student loan letters, payslips or other official documents. If you don’t have it you can still register to vote, BUT you'll need to explain why you don’t have it and will need to send copies of your ID through the post, which will take much longer.

Anything else I should consider?

Students are able to register at 2 addresses – home and university. So, if you don’t know where you’re going to be on Tuesday 16 April or where you’ll be on Thursday 2 May polling day, you can register to vote at both locations.

If you want to vote at home and you're still at university, you should think about registering for a postal vote so you don’t miss out - vice versa.

Who is eligible?

• You should be 18 (or over) on polling day
• Be a British, Irish or qualifying commonwealth citizen
• Live at a UK address

You can find more information on commonwealth countries and eligible voters here.

What do you need to vote?

Voters in England now need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.