How to vote

You need to register to vote in UK elections. 

Register to vote. 

You can vote in an election: 

  • in person at a polling station 
  • by post 
  • by proxy 

When you first register to vote, you will only be able to vote in person. If you want to vote by post or proxy, you will need to apply to do so after you’ve registered to vote. 

Check when the next election is taking place. 

Vote at a polling station 

You must show a valid photo ID or the free voter ID, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, to vote at a polling station. You cannot vote without this. 

Only certain photo ID is accepted. Check what photo ID you need. 

You can apply for photo ID to vote (GOV.UK) or get help to apply at The Woolwich Centre. Both services are free.

You’ll need to apply by 5pm on 24 April 2024 to get a Voter Authority Certificate for the 2 May 2024 elections.

Polling stations are open 7am to 10pm on election day. 

Find your polling station

Ward and polling district maps

Download and print a map of your ward and polling district.

The maps show: 

  • your ward boundary – red line 
  • your polling district boundary – blue line 
  • polling stations in your polling district – shown in orange 

Vote by post

You can apply to vote by post for any reason. 

You must apply to do this no later than 5pm, 11 working days before the first election you want a postal vote for. 

Apply for a postal vote

Vote by proxy

This is when someone else votes for you. This person is your proxy. 

Both you and your proxy must be registered to vote. Your proxy does not have to live in Royal Greenwich. 

Your proxy will be sent a proxy poll card, telling them where and when to vote. You must let your proxy know which candidate or party you want them to vote for on your behalf. 

You must apply by 5pm, 6 working days before election day. You can apply to vote by proxy online or by post. In some circumstances, you may be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote after the deadline. 

Find out more about proxy voting and apply for a proxy vote. 

If you think you need to vote by emergency proxy, email your proxy form to: elect@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or call 020 8921 5882.