We cannot put arts funding front and centre of the national agenda if Equity members are not registered to vote.
Registering to vote is quick and easy and takes less than five minutes online.
- 20 April: Deadline for registering to vote.
- 21 April (5pm): Deadline for applying for a postal vote.
- 28 April (5pm): Deadline for applying for a proxy vote.
- 28 April (5pm): Deadline for applying for Voter ID.
- 7 May: Polling Day.
Ahead of the devolved and local elections taking place across the UK in 2026, Equity will run an issues-based campaign demanding an end to arts cuts, freedom of political expression, universal basic income for artists in Scotland, and a full ‘culture is work’ manifesto in Wales.
Arts funding has been decimated by years of austerity, arts education is in crisis, we must act now to save the arts and reverse these harmful cuts.
The rise of the far right makes these elections consequential for our future, but we cannot make a difference if Equity members are not registered to vote.
Register to vote by 20 April
Registering to vote is quick and easy and takes less than five minutes online.
- You need to register again if you have changed your name, address, or nationality since the last election.
- You will need your national insurance number or passport number and your address.
- You can register to vote in May 2026 elections until Monday 20 April.
Do not lose your voice in these incredibly important elections – register to vote today.
Don’t know where you’ll be on Polling Day?
If you are unsure where you will be on 7 May - if you are touring, or if your schedule or plans might change - then you should apply for a postal or proxy vote.
Apply for a postal vote by 21 April, 5pm
- You must be registered to vote in the UK before you can apply for your postal vote.
- You will need to register for a postal vote by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April to vote by post in the 2026 May elections.
Apply for a proxy vote by 28 April, 5pm
- If you will be away on polling day – Thursday 7 May – and do not want to vote by post, then you can register for a proxy vote.
- A proxy vote is where you get someone else to vote on your behalf (a proxy) if you cannot go to the polling station in person.
- Anyone who is registered to vote can be a proxy, make sure you ask your proxy’s permission before you apply.
- The deadline for applying for a proxy vote in the 2026 May Elections is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.
Apply for voter ID to vote by 28 April
Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate
- If you do not have any accepted photo ID (such as a driving licence or passport) then you will need to apply for a photo ID (called a Voter Authority Certificate) to vote.
- It’s free to apply for a photo ID, you just need a digital photo of yourself and your national insurance number.
- You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate here.
- The deadline for applying for a Voter Authority Certificate for the 2026 May elections is Tuesday 28 April.
