Register to Vote

You must register by 11:59pm on 20 April 2026 to vote in the local elections on 7 May 2026.

Who can vote?

• You must be aged 16 or over to register.
• You can register to vote if you’re a British citizen or an Irish citizen. 

You can also register if you have permission (or do not need permission) to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man and you’re:

• a Commonwealth citizen (including citizens of Cyprus and Malta)
• a citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain
• a citizen of another EU country, who on or before 31 December 2020 had permission to enter or stay (or did not need permission) and this has continued without a break

How to Register?

If you want to vote, your name must be on the electoral register. If you changed your address or your name since you last voted, you must register again. 

For further information on how to register, visit: Register to vote | Register to vote | Manchester City Council

If you need help, the Electoral Services Unit can complete an application for you.

Email: esu@manchester.gov.uk 

Phone:0161 234 1212

Photo ID

You will need to show photo ID when voting in person.

• The photo ID you show must be the original version.
• You cannot use a photograph, image on a phone or a photocopy of your ID.
• The photo on your ID must look like you.
• You can still use your ID even if it has expired.

The name on your ID must match your name on the electoral register. If it does not, you’ll need to either: register to vote again or take a document with you that proves you’ve changed your name (for example, a marriage certificate).

Acceptable types of photo ID to vote:

• a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
• a driving licence issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
• a UK passport
• a passport issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
• a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• a Blue Badge
• a biometric residence permit (BRP)
• a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
• a HM Armed Forces Veteran Card (MOD form 100)
• a national identity card issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
• a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
• a Voter Authority Certificate
• an Anonymous Elector’s Document

You can also use one of the following travel passes as photo ID when you vote:

• an older person’s bus pass
• a disabled person’s bus pass
• an Oyster 60+ card
• a Freedom Pass
• a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
• a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass

Don’t miss a chance to have your say

Voting is an important way to make your voice heard and I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to check if you are registered to vote.