General Election: What do I need to know before voting?
After six weeks of campaigning by all political parties, the polls are open across the UK.
Last updated 4th Jul 2024
Millions of people across the UK are heading to the polls to vote for the next Westminster Government.
Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm tonight.
You can find out where your polling station is on the electoral commission website.
What do I need to know?
When you arrive you will have to confirm your name and address.
For the first time you will also need to bring a form of valid ID such as a passport or a driving license
The following video offers another quick guide to voting.
What is an acceptable form of ID?
International travel
Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state (Opens in new window) or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card)
Driving and Parking
Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
A Blue Badge
Local travel
Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
Freedom Pass
What happens next?
Once polling staff have confirmed your ID, checked that you are registered and eligible to vote you will be given a ballot paper.
You will be directed to one of the polling booths and asked to put a cross next to the name of the candidate you wish to vote for.
After casting your vote you will be asked to fold your ballot paper and post it into a ballot box so nobody else can see who you voted for.
When will my vote be counted?
All counts across Scotland and the rest of the UK will begin as quickly as possible after 10pm.
The polling day electorate in Scotland is 4,081,585. The total number of postal voters is 998,863, which is 24% of the electorate.