How to vote
You can vote in the by-election if you live in the Clacton constituency, are registered to vote, are 18 or over on polling day, and are a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.
Key dates
- Farage resigns as MP
- Tuesday, 7 July 2026
- Writ moved in the Commons
- TBC — expected after the Commons returns; sets the formal timetable
- Deadline to register to vote
- TBC — usually 12 working days before polling day
- Deadline for new postal vote applications
- TBC — usually 11 working days before polling day
- Statement of Persons Nominated published
- TBC — the official candidate list, published after nominations close
- Polling day
- TBC — polls open 7am–10pm
Dates are set once the by-election writ is moved in the House of Commons. This page will be updated the day the timetable is confirmed.
1. Register to vote
Registering takes about five minutes at gov.uk/register-to-vote. You need your National Insurance number. If you are already registered (for example, you voted in the May 2026 Essex county elections) you do not need to register again. The deadline is normally twelve working days before polling day.
2. Bring photo ID
You must show photo ID to vote in person. Accepted forms include a passport, driving licence (including provisional), blue badge, older person's bus pass, and others on the Electoral Commission's full list. Expired ID is accepted if the photo still looks like you. No ID? Apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline (normally six working days before polling day).
3. Choose how to vote
- In person — polling stations are open 7am to 10pm on polling day. Your polling station is printed on the poll card posted to you; you do not need the poll card itself to vote.
- By post — apply at gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. Applications normally close eleven working days before polling day.
- By proxy — someone you trust votes on your behalf. Apply at gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote, normally by six working days before polling day.
Questions about your registration?
Electoral services for the constituency are run by Tendring District Council — they can confirm whether you are registered, where your polling station is, and the status of a postal or proxy application.