From the 31 October 2023 there are changes to how you apply for an absent vote.

How do I register to vote?

1. Go to Register to vote on the GOV.UK website
2. Fill in your name, address, date of birth and a few other details. You’ll also need your national insurance number, which can be found on your national insurance card, or in official paperwork such as payslips, or letters about benefits or tax credits.
3. You will receive a letter from Milton Keynes City Council to confirm that you are registered or if you need to provide further information.

To find out more visit Your Vote Matters information provided by Gov.UK 

How old do I need to be?

You have to be 18 years old in order to vote. If you are 16 or 17 years old you can register, but need to include your date of birth. You will be able to vote in elections as soon as you turn 18.

Who can vote?

In order to register to vote you need to hold British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizenship, you can vote in all elections that take place. If you hold EU citizenship (other than the Republic of Ireland, Malta and Cyprus), you can vote in most elections that take place. You can’t vote in UK Parliamentary general elections. A list of eligible countries is available online here.

If you are in the armed forces you can register at home and have a postal vote or a proxy vote.

Residents of mental hospitals (unless detained under the Mental Health Act), homeless people and remand prisoners can register using a declaration of local connection. Convicted prisoners are not eligible to vote.

Voting anonymously

If you think your name and address being on the electoral register could affect your safety, or the safety or someone in your household, you can register to vote anonymously. You can find more information and the relevant forms on the Electoral Commission website.

Voting for those who do not have a permanent address

If you don't have a permanent home, you can register to vote at an address where you spend most of your time (during the day or night). Forms are available on the Electoral Commission website.

How do I vote by post?

You can choose to vote by post rather than going to your polling station.  You will be able to apply for a postal vote online here you will need to provide a National Insurance number (NINO) or proof of your identity if you do not have a NINO. You will also need to upload your signature online.

If you are unable to complete the form online it is still possible to download and complete a form. Send a completed form to the freepost address below:

FREEPOST RTKK-LYXA-BXBL

Milton Keynes City Council

Civic

1 Saxon Gate East

Central Milton Keynes

MK9 3EJ

It can also be scanned and e-mailed to postal.votes@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Postal ballot papers will be sent out about 10 days before polling day. The Royal Mail treats postal votes as a priority.

Along with the instructions on how to return the postal vote is a statement on which you have to provide your date of birth and your signature. These will be compared with those you have already provided. This has to be returned to us, with the ballot paper, by the close of poll on election day.

Postal voters (before 31 October 2023) will be limited to a maximum of 3 years (currently 5 years) – All existing (pre 31 October 2023) postal voters need to reapply by 31 January 2026.

If you change your name or signature after you have completed an application form please contact us so that we can send you a new form to update our records.

If you do not return your postal vote in time you can hand it in at your polling station on election day, polling stations are open until 10pm.

How do I vote by proxy?

Proxy voting is when someone votes on your behalf if you cannot vote in person. You can vote by Proxy;

• for a single election on a specific date
• for a specific period (maximum 5 years)

You need to give the reason why you’re applying for a proxy vote.

You are able to apply for a proxy vote online here. You will need to provide a National Insurance number (NINO) or proof of your identity if you do not have a NINO. You will also need to upload your signature online.

Your proxy will be required to show photographic identification to vote at the election. Further information on Voter ID can be found here.

A proxy will only be able to act as a proxy for up to 4 people. Of these, the maximum number who can be 'domestic electors' (voters living in the UK) is 2.

All existing (before 31 October 2023) domestic proxy electors need to reapply by 31 Jan 2024. Proxy voters will then need to reapply every 5 years

There are different forms online, depending on why you can’t get to the polling station. Make sure you complete the right one. If the application is for a particular election then you will need to complete the form every time there is an election.

If you are unable to complete the form online it is still possible to download and complete a form. Send a completed form to the freepost address below:

FREEPOST RTKK-LYXA-BXBL

Milton Keynes City Council

Civic

1 Saxon Gate East

Central Milton Keynes

MK9 3EJ

It can also be scanned and e-mailed to proxy.votes@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Do I need my polling card to vote at the polling station

No you do not need your polling card to vote at the polling station, they are usually posted out in batches a couple of weeks before the election, as long as you are registered to vote at your current address you can go to your polling station and cast your vote. You will need to confirm/give name and address details to the staff in the polling station who will then issue you with an official ballot paper.

Keeping your vote if moving abroad

If you are a British citizen and you are thinking of living or working abroad, you may still be able to register to vote at Parliamentary elections at your last address in the UK. Your right to vote in this country's elections can last for up to 15 years. At the time of an election you can choose to vote by post or proxy. To find out more go to How to Vote 

Help and advice

If you need help or advice you can contact the Electoral Registration Office using the details in the contact area.

Key information about your vote

You do not need your polling card to vote at the polling station.

As long as you’re registered to vote at your current address you’ll receive a poll card a few weeks before an election. They’re usually posted out in batches, so cards for different voters at the same address might arrive at different times.

The poll card will tell you how, where and when to vote. It’s for information only and you don’t need to have it with you at the polling station to vote, so don't worry if you lose it or forget it. (You can still vote as long as you’re registered).

You’ll vote at a polling station near your home, for example at a local school or village hall. Each polling station will have a clear sign outside. On election day polling stations are open from 7am - 10pm.

When you arrive, you’ll need to confirm your name and address to the staff at the polling station. You will be required to show photographic identification to vote at the election. Further information on Voter ID can be found here.

Take the ballot paper to one of the polling booths and put a cross in the box next to the name of the candidate(s) you want to support. Do not write anything else on the ballot paper, otherwise your vote might not count. Once you’ve voted, fold the ballot paper over so your choice can’t be seen and put it in the locked ballot box. Staff at the polling station will make sure that only votes are put into the box. You don't have to tell anyone who you voted for.

How do local elections work in Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes City Council is a unitary authority and provides the majority of local government services for its residents. To find out more about unitary authorities visit www.gov.uk/understand how your council works.

The Council has 57 councillors with one third elected three years in four.

Local elections give residents the chance to choose who represents them locally. There are several different types of local elections, in Milton Keynes one third of the local councillors are elected for three years and no elections are held in the 4th year.

In addition to electing local councillors, residents will sometimes also be asked to vote for their local Parish councillor, Police and Crime Commissioner or Referendum Plans.

The local elections are normally held on the first Thursday in May.