Need help getting ready to vote?

Everyone’s talking about elections all of a sudden! What does this mean for young people?

Voter ID was introduced in 2023 causing confusion and voting apprehension, and rumours of a 2024 General Election spread with no clear date in sight.

We want young creatives to take the power back. The future is in your hands.

We’ve put together a comprehensive voting guide that takes you through everything you need to get down to the polls, as well as any questions you may have along the way.

If at any point you need help with this process, you can get in-person support at one of our drop in sessions (more info at the end of this page).

We’ll talk you through the process in three main steps:

Grab your National Insurance Number

Register to Vote

Get your free Voter ID

Who is this guide for?

To vote in England, you have to be:

• 18 or over (But you can pre-register to vote at 16!)

• A UK citizen, or an EU or Commonwealth citizen living in the UK

If this is you, then let’s begin!

What’s a national insurance number?

A National Insurance (NI) number is unique to a person and stays the same for life. It’s used to keep track of national insurance and tax contributions, and is also used to access benefits and services like the NHS.

It looks like this: QQ 12 34 56 A

If you’re aged 19 or under, and a parent or carer has filled in a child benefit claim form for you, you’ll normally be sent your NI number a few months before your 16th birthday.

Benefits of a National Insurance number

Having a national insurance number can unlock things like:

  • Employment

  • Pensions

  • Some types of benefits, such as

  • Student loans

For more information about National Insurance, click here

Grab your National Insurance Number

To find out what you need to do next, choose from the options below

  • If you have your National Insurance number to hand, you can move on to the next step!

  • You might be able to find your NI number on letters about benefits or payslips. To contact HMRC about a lost NI number, click here. HMRC will send your NI number by post, which may take up to 15 working days to arrive.

  • To apply for a National Insurance number online, click here. If you’re 19 or under and a parent or carer has filled in a child benefit claim form for you, it’s best to contact HMRC first.

  • You can register to vote without an NI number, but it’s still a very useful thing to have. You’ll need to provide your contact details instead when registering to vote; your local council will get in touch to verify your identity a different way. You’ll be asked for a birth certificate, bank statement, or another document that can prove who you are.

Register To Vote

Can I register to vote?

To register to vote in England, you have to be:

  • 16 or over (You can vote in elections at 18 or over)

  • A UK citizen, or an EU or Commonwealth citizen with the right to live in the UK

If you’re unsure, click here to check whether you can vote

When do I need to register?

You can register to vote at any time, but to make sure you can vote in an upcoming election it’s best to register at least a few weeks before election day, and even sooner if you register without an NI number. To find out when the next election is, click here.

Apply online

Registering to vote online takes about 5 minutes with an NI number.

The process may be slightly different depending on your circumstances. If you want to register anonymously, or are registering without a fixed address, click the options below for more info.

  • If you’ve registered to vote before, it’s a good idea to check that your details are up to date. For example, if you’ve changed your name or address, you’ll need to register again using your new details.

  • If you’re registering without a fixed address, the process is slightly different. You can either download the form online, fill it out, and send it by email to your local electoral team, or send it by post. Find the form here.

  • Being on the electoral register means people can find you using your name and address. You can choose to register anonymously if being on the electoral register would put you at risk. Find out more here

  • If your home and uni address are in two different local authority areas, you can vote in local elections at both. However, in general elections, you’ll only be able to vote in one. More advice on voting while at uni here

Get your free Voter ID

Since 2023, photo ID has been needed to vote at a polling station. Once you’ve registered to vote, you can apply for a free Voter ID (also called a Voter Authority Certificate).

What types of photo ID are accepted?

  • Driving license (includes provisional)

  • Passport

  • Proof of age with pass mark

  • Voter Authority Certificate (Voter ID)

To see a full list of accepted photo ID, click here.

  • Yes, you can use an expired photo ID as long as the photo is still recognisable as you.

  • For a photo ID to be accepted at the polling station, your name on the ID and your name on the electoral register have to match. If these names are different, you can do this by:

    • Applying for a free voter ID using the name you registered to vote with

    • Bringing official proof of a name change, such as a change of name deed, as well as your photo ID

    • Changing your name on the electoral register to match (You can do this by either registering to vote again, or by contacting your local electoral services team)

  • If you want to vote in person, you’ll need to apply for an Anonymous Elector’s Document, which is similar to a Voter ID. You won’t be able to use any other form of photo ID to vote, and you’ll also have to bring your poll card with you too (you’ll receive it in the post before election day). To find out more, click here.

Apply for a free Voter ID

You’ll need a recent, passport style photo of yourself, and your National Insurance number or alternative documents to hand.

  • While you need photo ID to vote at a polling station, it is not required to vote by post (getting a ballot paper sent to you in the post) or by proxy (nominating a trusted person to vote on your behalf). Find out more about applying for a postal or proxy vote.

What happens now?

Before the next election, you’ll be sent a poll card in the post telling you where you can cast your vote. If you’ve registered to vote by post, you’ll be sent a ballot paper instead. To find out more about the different ways of voting, and what happens on polling day, check out the resources below.

Want help getting ready to vote?

Our digital producer Holly is holding drop-ins and online sessions for registering to vote, voter ID, and more! For ages 18-25.

Drop-in: No need to book!
Tuesday 4th, 11th and 18th June, 1-4pm
AEE Music Studio, 59 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2RJ

For quick voting registration FAQs email Holly: holly@artsedex.org

Want to know more about voting, democracy, or youth voice?

We’ve put together a list of free resources which you can find by clicking the button below!

AEE Voting Resources

We’ve created a range of assets, including posters and social media posts, that are free to use and modify!