Want to vote in local elections next month? The deadline is soon!
If you want to have your say in the local elections on 7 May 2026, you need to make sure registered to vote by 23:59 on 20 April 2026.
Registering online is quick, and it’s your opportunity to influence decisions that affect your local area and the issues you care about.
Are you registered?
As a student, you may be able to register at more than one address (such as your ‘home’ address and your student accommodation), if you consider both to be permanent homes. If you’ve recently moved address — from student halls into private accommodation for example — you’ll need to register again using your new address.
If you’re unsure whether you’re already registered, you can contact your local electoral registration office to check.
Who can vote?
Not all students are eligible, so it’s important to check before you register. You can usually register if you are:
- A British or Irish citizen
You may also be eligible if you are:
- A Commonwealth citizen (including Cyprus and Malta)
- A citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain
- A citizen of another EU country who had permission to stay in the UK on or before 31 December 2020, and this has continued without a break
You can find full details and check your eligibility on the UK Government website.
How to register
You can register to vote online via the GOV.UK website. The process usually takes around five minutes, and you’ll be asked for details such as your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number if you have one (you can still register if you don’t have one).
There’s also a different process if you need to register anonymously, for example for safety reasons.
Voting options
Once you’re registered, you can choose how you vote:
Key deadline
To vote in the local elections on 7 May 2026, you must register by 23:59 on 20 April 2026.
Registering to vote is one of the simplest ways to make your voice heard. If you’re eligible, don’t miss the deadline — take a few minutes to register and be ready to have your say.
You can find out more about registering to vote on the GOV.UK website.