What elections can British citizens vote in?

British citizens can vote in all UK elections: general elections (for Members of Parliament), local council elections, mayoral elections, police and crime commissioner elections, and referendums. This is broader than the voting rights available to most non-citizen residents.

How do I register to vote after becoming a British citizen?

Register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. You need your National Insurance number and your date of birth. Registration takes about 5 minutes. You can also register by post through your local electoral registration office.

Can non-citizens vote in UK elections?

Some non-citizens have limited voting rights. Commonwealth citizens and Irish citizens who are resident in the UK can vote in all UK elections. EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status can vote in local elections but not general elections. Citizenship gives you full voting rights in all elections.

Can I stand for elected office as a naturalised citizen?

Yes. Naturalised British citizens have exactly the same right to stand for elected office as any other British citizen. You can stand for local council, Parliament, or any other elected position. The only exception is the monarchy, which is hereditary.

Voting Rights After British Citizenship

British citizens can vote in all UK elections including general, local, and mayoral elections. Registration is quick and free through GOV.UK. Naturalised citizens have exactly the same voting rights and eligibility for elected office as those born British.

Your Voting Rights as a Citizen

As a British citizen, you have the right to vote in all UK elections:

General elections: Choosing your Member of Parliament
Local elections: Choosing your local councillors
Mayoral elections: Where applicable (London, combined authorities)
Police and Crime Commissioner elections
Devolved elections: Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, Northern Ireland Assembly
Referendums: National or local

This is the full set of democratic rights. No further categories of election are restricted based on how you became a citizen.

How to Register

You must be on the electoral register to vote. Registration is free and takes about 5 minutes online:

Go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Enter your name, address, date of birth, and National Insurance number
Confirm your nationality as British
Submit the form

You can also register by post by contacting your local electoral registration office. Registration is not automatic. You must actively register to be able to vote.

Register as soon as possible after your citizenship ceremony. If an election is approaching, ensure you register before the registration deadline (usually 12 working days before the election).

Before Citizenship: What Voting Rights Did You Have?

Your voting rights before citizenship depended on your nationality:

Commonwealth citizens: Could vote in all UK elections while resident in the UK with leave to remain
Irish citizens: Could vote in all UK elections while resident
EU citizens with settled status: Could vote in local elections but not general elections
Other nationalities: Generally no voting rights

For many new citizens, particularly those from non-Commonwealth, non-EU countries, citizenship gives them the vote for the first time in the UK.

Standing for Office

As a naturalised British citizen, you can stand for any elected office in the UK. This includes:

Local council
Member of Parliament (House of Commons)
Mayor
Police and Crime Commissioner
Devolved parliament or assembly member

There is no distinction between naturalised citizens and those born British when it comes to eligibility for elected office. Several current and former Members of Parliament are naturalised British citizens.

Voter ID

Since 2023, voters in England must show photo ID at polling stations for most elections. Accepted forms of ID include:

Passport (British or foreign)
Driving licence
Biometric immigration document
Various concessionary passes
Voter Authority Certificate (free, available from your council)

Your new British passport or even your previous foreign passport can be used as voter ID. If you do not have photo ID, apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate from your local council.

Postal and Proxy Voting

If you cannot attend your polling station in person, you can:

Postal vote: Apply to receive your ballot paper by post and return it by post. Apply through your local electoral registration office
Proxy vote: Appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf. This is useful if you are abroad or unable to attend on polling day

Both options require advance registration. Apply well before election day.

Why Your Vote Matters

As a new citizen, your perspective is valuable. You bring experience from another country and from navigating the UK immigration system. Your vote helps shape policies on issues that affect you and your community, including immigration, healthcare, education, and housing.

Many new citizens find that voting for the first time is a meaningful moment in their citizenship journey. It is a tangible expression of belonging and participation in British democracy.

For more on community participation, see our guide on community groups for immigrants.