Who can vote in UK elections?

All democratic countries have rules about who has the right to vote, known as the franchise, in their elections. This is usually based on nationality, age and residence.

The right to vote in national and local elections may vary. Most countries restrict voting in national elections to their own citizens, but some allow foreign nationals to vote in local elections.

This briefing explains the franchise and who has the right to register to vote in elections in the UK. It also provides information on some of the registration criteria, such as residence, nationality and legal incapacity to vote.

In recent years the rules on who can vote in which election in the UK have diverged depending which part of the UK someone lives in. The right to vote in UK elections is summarised in the table at the end of this overview.

UK Parliament elections

Across the whole of the UK, to vote in an election for the UK Parliament someone must:

• be registered to vote in the constituency 

• be of voting age – 18 years old on polling day 

• be either a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland 

• and not be subject to any ‘legal incapacity’ to vote – prisoners serving a sentence for a conviction cannot vote in UK parliamentary elections and neither can peers in the House of Lords.

The eligibility of Irish and Commonwealth citizens to vote in UK elections comes from the historic links between the UK and Ireland and between the UK and countries of the former British Empire.

Local and devolved elections

Eligibility to vote in local and devolved elections depends on which part of the UK someone lives.

The franchise for devolved elections in Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of the respective devolved administrations. The devolved elections in Scotland and Wales include local council elections and elections to the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments. Both have made changes to reduce the voting age and to allow foreign nationals to vote. Elections in Northern Ireland are not devolved.

England and Northern Ireland

For local elections in England and Northern Ireland the rules are the same as they are for UK Parliament elections with three main exceptions.

• Members of the House of Lords can vote in local elections if they meet the age and residency requirements

• Some EU citizens can vote in local elections (the eligibility is explained below) 

• Overseas voters cannot vote in local elections

Scotland

As in England British, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens can vote. Members of the House of Lords can vote, and overseas voters cannot. The main differences for Scottish Parliament elections and local elections in Scotland are:

• Registered 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds can vote 

• All legally resident foreign nationals can also register to vote (not just EU citizens) 

• Convicted prisoners who are detained and serving a sentence of 12months or less may now register to vote in local and Scottish Parliament elections.

Wales

In Wales the franchise has also been expanded for Senedd Cymru and local elections: 

• Registered 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds can vote 

• All legally resident foreign nationals can also register to vote for local elections and Senedd Cymru elections (not just EU citizens).

Decisions on police and crime commissioner (PCC) elections are reserved to the UK Government. The voting age remains 18 for PCC elections in Wales and only registered British citizens and qualifying Commonwealth and Irish citizens can vote. All convicted prisoners serving a prison term are still prohibited from voting in Senedd Cymru and Welsh local elections.

EU citizens’ voting rights

The voting rights of EU citizens living in the UK depend on where they live.

As already noted any foreign national, including EU citizens, can register to vote in devolved elections in Scotland and Wales.

In England and Northern Ireland, the eligibility is:

• Citizens of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain who are resident in the UK, have permission to enter or stay in the UK (or the Channel Islands or Isle of Man) can register to vote in local elections in England and Northern Ireland. The UK has bilateral treaties with these countries. 

• Citizens of any other EU country who on or before 31 December 2020 were legally resident in the UK, had permission to enter or stay in the UK (or the Channel Islands or Isle of Man) and have remained resident without a break can register to vote in local elections in England and Northern Ireland

Cyprus and Malta are both EU and Commonwealth countries. Citizens of Cyprus and Malta are able to register for full voting rights as Commonwealth citizens as long as they fulfil the other eligibility requirements.

Summary table