Question 1

When are elections?

Accepted Answer

In the UK, there has to be a General Election every 4-5 years. The Prime Minister can choose when exactly  this is, but there are set dates that it can be called between. A Prime Minister may also call a ‘snap election’ which can be called at any time. But don’t worry about missing out on voting – any snap election will be well covered by the news!

We also have local elections, where you can vote for representatives who sit on different councils. The current Labour government are changing how this works right now, so we’ll keep you updated with the latest developments.

Question 2

How do you ‘win’ an election?

Accepted Answer

In the UK there are 650 constituencies, and for a party to ‘win’ an election, they must win 325+1 of these to gain a ‘majority’. Once a party does this, their leader becomes the Prime Minister.

Question 3

What happens if nobody gets the required seats?

Accepted Answer

It can get pretty complicated. Generally speaking, the party with the most seats will make an agreement with another party to bump up their seat total. This can take lots of different shapes and can be called lots of different things. Not every agreement is known as a coalition!

These agreements can be difficult to form as most parties disagree on policy. It can lead to lots of broken promises and angry voters feeling betrayed.

Due to the way the UK is organised, 'minority' governments are rare.

Question 4

How long does it take to vote?

Accepted Answer

It can depend on the election, but not long at all. Once you’ve arrived at the polling station, you might have to wait a little to get checked in, but once you’ve done that it’s as simple as marking your vote and going home again!

Question 5

Where do I vote?

Accepted Answer

You usually vote in a polling station, on the day of the election. You’ll need to check where your closest one is before turning up.

Question 6

What happens if I can’t vote at the station on the day?

Accepted Answer

If you know that you won’t be showing up at the polling station on the day of the election, you can apply for a postal vote. If something unforeseen occurs on the day of the election meaning that you cannot go to the polling station, you may be eligible to apply for an emergency proxy vote, which means that you can send someone to vote on your behalf. It’s important to note that emergency proxy voting won’t cover everything – so it’s always best to plan ahead and give yourself the best chance of being able to get to the station on the day.

Question 7

Why was Keir Starmer not on my ballot?

Accepted Answer

In the UK, we don’t vote for the Prime Minister – instead we vote for a representative in our constituency. It's the leader of the largest party who becomes the Prime Minister!

Question 8

How do I fill in my ballot?

Accepted Answer

In General Elections, it's super simple. You simply place a cross next to the person you want to vote for. Don't worry if you accidentally tick the box - your vote will still be counted.

In 'devolved' or regional elections, you may be asked to rank candidates in order of preference. It's really important you check if a 'preferential' system is in play before you head to a devolved election.

Question 9

Do I need photo ID?

Accepted Answer

YES! You do need ID to go and vote now! It’s a relatively new thing, and it could change soon, but it’s best to be prepared. The easiest forms of ID for young people to provide at polling booths are a passport or driving licence, but don’t worry if you have nether! If you go onto the Government website, you can apply for a special type of ID which will allow you to vote. It takes a bit of time – so don’t leave it until the last minute, but it’s completely free of charge!

Question 10

How old do I have to be to vote?

Accepted Answer

At General Elections, the answer is still 18 – although this might be changing soon! In some elections in Scotland and Wales you can vote at 16 – but make sure to check before you rock up to the polling station.

Question 11

Do I need to register to vote?

Accepted Answer

YES! You have to pre-register to vote before the day of the election. You need to register your home address – although if you’re a student or have multiple houses you may have to choose where to vote.

Question 12

When will I know the result?

Accepted Answer

General Elections have what’s called ‘exit polls’, which are usually pretty accurate. This means that you should know who’s won or lost on the stroke of 10, as soon as voting closes. However, it’s important to note that exit polls cannot be taken as gospel – they can contain mistakes.

Local elections can be more difficult to call – so the result may take a little longer. In some cases, counting may take a few days.

Question 13

How long does counting votes take?

Accepted Answer

This can depend on the election and the turnout, but most constituencies and wards will attempt to count their votes in one night. The fastest constituencies usually get their votes counted before midnight. The slowest counts (which can often include recounts) can take days.

Question 14

Can I bring my dog to the polling station?

Accepted Answer

Yes - but don't take them inside with you (unless it's a guide dog of course). Make sure you take a photo, as a lot of news outlets will run stories of dog's at polling booths and your pet could gain a pretty hefty following!

Question 15

Can I take a photo in the polling booth?

Accepted Answer

No. Please don't take a photo in a polling booth - selfie or otherwise. Feel free to take a photo of yourself going to or from a station, but if you want to encourage others to vote (especially younger voters), it's better to take them along with you!

Question 16

Do I have to vote?

Accepted Answer

No – it’s your right to choose who to cast your vote for and whether to cast it at all. It’s not mandatory, and there’s no punishment for not showing up. At the last election, over 40% of people did not turn out to vote.

However, You Political exists to encourage you to get stuck in – and a huge part of this is going to the polls. If you’re not a fan of any of the candidates on offer, you can always ‘destroy’ your ballot paper or cast a protest vote for a third party.

YOU POLITICAL

FAQ's about British politics