Politics

General Election 2024: Where can I vote in Northern Ireland and what do I need?

Polls for the general election opened this morning at 7am and will close tonight at 10pm

A voting booth at the Agape Centre polling station in south Belfast
A voting booth at the Agape Centre polling station in south Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)
By Liam Grimley

As voting continues in today’s general election, searches for polling stations across the north have been trending online.

All polling cards have the station address on it so people know where they should go to cast their ballot.

The Electoral Commission has also provided an online tool so potential voters can check where to cast their ballot.

How can I find my polling station?

All the user needs to do is enter their postcode to find out where their nearest polling station is.

It will also display who is standing in the area, for what party and who to contact if you need help.

Join the Irish News Whatsapp channel

Visit this link to use this tool: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information

A screenshot of the Electoral Commission's tool It says 'My next election Enter your postcode to find out about voting in your next election. We'll tell you who's standing, where your polling station is, and who to contact if you need help. Enter your postcode
A screenshot of the Electoral Commission's tool to help voters get the information they need to cast their ballot

What do you need to bring with you to vote?

Photographic ID has been a requirement to vote here since 2003.

The Electoral Office lists the following ID types as accepted:

  • A UK, Irish or EEA driving licence (photo part) (provisional accepted)
  • A UK or Irish Passport (or Irish Passport Card)
  • An Electoral Identity Card
  • A Biometric Immigration Document

In addition, the following Translink SmartPasses can be used as ID:

  • Senior SmartPass
  • 60+ SmartPass
  • Half Fare SmartPass
  • Registered Blind SmartPass
  • War Disablement SmartPass