How to register to vote: A step-by-step guide in the event of a second Brexit referendum or general election

Theresa May's EU Withdrawal Agreement looks increasingly doomed

Satirist Armando Iannucci recently reminded his Twitter followers to ensure they are registered to vote.

The creator of the political comedies The Thick of It, Veep and The Death of Stalin was anticipating the failure of Theresa May’s EU Withdrawal Agreement and the prospect of either a second “final say” referendum on Brexit or even a general election.

“Can I advise you, if you haven’t already done so, to register to vote? There’s going to be a referendum or general election soon, and you’ll only kick yourself if you don’t,” he tweeted.

The embattled prime minister’s Brexit proposals have been met with staunch opposition from her own ministers, Tory backbenchers and the DUP, whose support Ms May’s minority government relies on under a confidence-and-supply agreement signed in the aftermath of 2017’s election resulting in a hung parliament.

If you do want to register to vote so that you can have your say should Mr Iannucci's (increasingly probable) prediction come to pass, instructions on how to do so follow below.

Am I eligible to vote?

You can vote in any forthcoming referendum or snap election as long as you’re registered and are 18 or over on the day of the vote.

You must be one of the following:

• A British citizen living in the UK
• A Commonwealth citizen living in the UK who has leave to remain in the UK or who does not require leave to remain in the UK
• A British citizen living overseas who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years
• An Irish citizen living overseas who was born in Northern Ireland and who has been registered to vote in Northern Ireland in the last 15 years

How do I register?

If you registered to vote last time around, you may not need to re-register.

Otherwise, you can register online here.

You will need your National Insurance number and passport.

Note: If you have moved home since the last time you voted, you will need to re-register at your new property.

You can still register to vote even if you do not have a fixed address. This may be because you are:

• A hospital patient
• Homeless
• A merchant seaman
• Part of the gypsy or travelling community
• Living on a boat or other moveable residence
• A person remanded in custody

If you do not have a permanent address, you can register at an address where you spend a substantial part of your time or have some connection. This could be a previously permanent address, shelter or similar place.

You can register by filling in a form called a “Declaration of local connection”, which can be downloaded here.

There are two forms – one for people in England and Wales and one for those living in Scotland. Alternatively, you can get the form from your local electoral registration office.

Not sure if you’re registered?

Every local authority holds the electoral register for their area. You can contact your local registration office and they will be able to let you know if you are registered.

To find the contact details of your local office, enter your postcode here on the Electoral Commission’s website.

I’m registered - now how do I vote?

You can vote in a referendum or general election in the following ways:

• In person at your local polling station – you can find the location on the Electoral Commission’s website closer to voting day
• By post, or by proxy

Details of the nearest polling station will most likely be shown on the back of your polling card, which you’ll receive in the post in the event a new vote is announced.

In England, Scotland and Wales, you can register to vote by post if you’re unable to vote in person on the day.

For a postal vote you will need to download a form and send it to your local registration office (see above).

Your local council will then send you a ballot paper by post, which you will need to send back. This must done in advance – all postal vote requests need to arrive at the office a few days before the election.

Can someone else vote for me?

If you can’t vote by either of these methods, you can apply to vote by proxy – allowing somebody you trust to submit your vote on your behalf.

This can be due to a disability, or if you’re abroad, or away on a course for work or university.

After completing the right form, you’ll need to print it, sign it, and send it back to your local electoral registration office. The deadline is usually 5pm, six working days before the poll.