Who can vote and stand for office
Study note
Not everyone in the UK can vote in a general election. In general you need to be aged 18 or over, have your name on the electoral register, and be a citizen of the UK, the Irish Republic or a Commonwealth country who is resident in the UK. A visitor on holiday cannot vote, and being born in a particular city is not what decides it.
Standing for election is a separate matter. Most people aged 18 or over can stand to become an MP, but there are some exceptions. Serving members of the armed forces and civil servants are among those who cannot stand, and the same applies to people found guilty of certain serious crimes. For the test, remember who can vote, namely UK, Irish and resident Commonwealth citizens aged 18 and over, and that groups such as the armed forces and civil servants cannot stand as MPs.
Memory tip: Vote at 18 if registered; UK, Irish and resident Commonwealth citizens can vote.
Practise this topic
Question 1 of 2
Besides UK citizens, which residents can vote in UK general elections?
Show all questions and answers for Who can vote and stand for office(2 questions with explanations)
Who can vote and stand for office: questions, answers and explanations
1. Besides UK citizens, which residents can vote in UK general elections?
- Only members of the House of Lords
- Only people born in London
- Irish and Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK
- Anyone visiting the UK on holiday
Correct answer: Irish and Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK
Citizens of the UK, the Irish Republic and Commonwealth countries resident in the UK can vote.
2. Members of the armed forces and civil servants are among those who cannot stand for election as an MP.
- True
- False
Correct answer: True
True. Certain people, such as serving members of the armed forces and civil servants, cannot stand as MPs.
Back to The UK Government, the Law and Your Role, or try a mock test or timed exam.