Register for local Combined Authority Mayoral Election, Police and Crime Commissioner Elections, and Councillor Elections before Wednesday 17th April.

You need to be registered to vote before you are allowed to vote in elections, this usually takes about 5 minutes.

Registering to vote

You need to register to vote on the UK Government’s website. You will be asked to provide your name, your date of birth, your nationality and your National Insurance number. If you do not know your National Insurance number, you can get assistance in finding it here.

Register to vote here

The last day to complete your registration to vote is Tuesday 16th April, and the last day to register for a postal vote is Wednesday 17th April.

Register for postal voting

I’ve moved house recently, do I have to register to vote again?

Students change address more than most people, so it’s important that you double check that you are registered to vote.

You have to register to vote every time you change address, name or nationality.

Can I be registered to vote at more than one address?

Students are allowed to register to vote at more than one address if they consider both places to be a permanent home.

Even though you can be registered at more than one address, it is illegal to vote in two places - so you have to choose which address to vote at.

I'm an international student. Can I register to vote?

You can, but it depends on the country you're from. Click the link below to find out which elections you can vote in.

Check if you can vote

I'm already registered to vote. What else do I need to know?

New laws mean you now have to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in General Elections in the UK. You can find a full list of accepted voter IDs in each UK nation via the Electoral Commission here.

NUS have teamed up with CitizenCard to offer a FREE Voter ID (usually £18) to any student or young person who needs it.

Get free CitizenCard

How does voting impact me?

Voting is your chance to elect candidates into positions to shape policy and allocate funding in your local area. Students account for approximately 80,000+ people in Birmingham, if all eligible students cast their votes, candidates are likely to tailor their manifestos to students' needs in future elections. 

Being registered to vote could also improve your credit score, because banks and other lenders often use the Electoral Roll to help verify your identity. This could help when it comes to things like taking out a mobile phone contract, especially if you do not have a long credit history. It could also help if you’re looking to buy a car, rent, or even secure a mortgage.

What are the key election dates?

• Thursday 2nd May – Polling Day – The polls will be open between 7am-10pm. Find your nearest polling station.

• Thursday 4th May – The results of the Mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner election are expected to be announced on this day. Once they have been confirmed they will be made available on this page

What do I do on Election Day?

• You'll need to go to your local polling station to cast your vote, unless you've chosen a postal vote

• The polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm

• You will receive one polling card referencing the mayoral and local elections, and another polling card referencing the Police and Crime Commissioner election

• Remember to take your ID with you

Local elections and council information

Local elections will also be taking place on Thursday 2nd May where you elect councillors to your local authority.

Find out more information on these elections in your area via the links below:

• Coventry City Council
• Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
• Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
• Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
• Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council
• City of Wolverhampton Council

There is only one local election taking place for Birmingham City Council in May 2024. This is a by election in the Bournbrook and Selly Park ward.

What is the role of the Mayor? 

The Mayor is the chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority Board and is a direct representative of approximately 2.8 million people in: Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Their responsibilities include areas which can affect you as a student, for instance: developing affordable and efficient trasnport, improving enterprise and unemployment in the region and cultivating relationships between West Mids community.

The Mayor is also an ambassador for the region, representing the interests of the West Midlands on a national and internal level. Watch the video below for more info.

Find out more about mayoral elections