Elections and voting as a student

Whether it is locally or nationally, voting is one of the best ways to ensure your voice is heard on the issues that matter most to you.

If you want to exercise your right to vote, you will need to register to do so. This simple process enables you to cast your vote in a number of ways, ensuring that you can have your say no matter where you are based.

Registering to vote

• You only need to register to vote once, although you will need to update your address if you have moved since you registered.
• Registering to vote can be done via gov.uk. You can also update your address on the same page.
• The process takes five minutes and you will be asked for your National Insurance number (although you can still register if you don’t have one).

Voter ID

New laws mean you now have to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in general elections in the UK. This was already the law in Northern Ireland.

You can find a full list of accepted voter IDs in each UK nation via the Electoral Commission.

If you don’t already possess a form of photo ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate free of charge. Alternatively, the NUS has also partnered with CitizenCard to offer a free voter ID to any student or young person who needs it.

FAQs

Can I be registered to vote at more than one address?
Students can register to vote at two addresses, if they consider both to be a permanent home. In local elections you can vote at both addresses as long as they fall in different council areas. However, in general elections it is illegal to vote more than once, so you must pick one location to cast your vote in.

I’ve moved to a different location recently, do I need to register again?
Every time you move house you need to register to vote; this ensures you are voting and impacting the political environment in your local area.

I am not a British citizen, am I eligible to vote?
You do not have to be a British citizen to vote in UK elections or referendums. There are different rules on whether you can vote depending on your nationality in different UK elections. If you have any doubt about your eligibility to vote, you can use this tool to find out which elections you can vote in.