Below we list the main factors in enabling you to cast your vote. If any of it is confusing and you require clarification, then please contact our office and we will be pleased to answer your queries.

Make sure you can

To vote you must be at least 18 and a British citizen, a British Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of a British Dependent Territory, an Irish citizen or a citizen of one of the other member states of the European Union.

You must also be on the Electoral Register. This is updated every year using details from the registration form you receive each Autumn from your local council.

Recently Rolling Registration has been introduced. This means that the Register is now updated each month to take account of house moves, deaths and other amendments.

If you would like further details on rolling registration please visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk. The introduction of a new rolling register enables people to register to vote at any time of the year and makes postal votes on demand available for the first time. If you need help in deciding how to register, or to vote by post or proxy, please contact our office.

Voting by post

People no longer need to give a reason for requiring a postal vote. You can ask for an automatic postal vote for a set period. Alternatively, you can ask for a one-off postal vote in advance of any election.

If you would like further details on postal voting, please visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

Voting by proxy

You can still vote even if you are unable to go to your polling station on election day and do not want to use a postal vote. Providing there is a good reason, you can apply to vote by proxy. (A proxy is someone who votes on your behalf). For example:

- You will be away on holiday (in the UK or abroad)
- Your work takes you away from home
- You are ill or in hospital

Some people qualify to vote by post or proxy for a longer period of time, not just at one particular election.

There are more details here: www.charnwood.gov.uk/democracy/postalandproxyvoting.html