What happens when you vote

Walk me through it, one step at a time

1. You register. Online at gov.uk/register-to-vote, before the deadline for that election. Your name goes on the electoral register for your address.
2. A poll card arrives. It tells you the date and where your polling station is. You don't need to take it with you.
3. You go to the polling station. Open 7am to 10pm on polling day. If you're in the queue at 10pm, you can still vote.
4. You show photo ID. At UK Parliament elections, English council elections and all elections in Northern Ireland. Not needed at Scottish or Welsh council elections.
5. Staff check the register and give you a ballot paper. They mark your name on the register. Each paper has a number, but the law keeps your vote secret.
6. You mark your paper in a booth. At most elections, one cross in one box. Made a mistake? Ask for a new paper before you put it in the box.
7. You fold it and put it in the ballot box. Nobody sees how you voted. If you need help, staff can mark the paper for you as you tell them, or you can bring someone.
8. Polls close and the boxes are sealed. At 10pm the boxes are sealed and taken to the count, with postal votes that arrived in time.
9. The papers are checked, then counted. First the number of papers in each box is checked against the records. Then they are counted by hand, watched by the candidates, their agents and accredited observers.
10. The result is declared. The returning officer reads out every candidate's votes and declares the winner. For most elections that is overnight or the next day.