Voting rights as a mental health patient
We're committed to ensuring people with mental illnesses are given fair and equal access to participate in society – the same as everyone else. This includes by having the opportunity to vote during a general election, if they wish to.
The opportunity to vote is really important. It gives everyone the chance to have their say in regional and national decision-making.
However, it is well understood that significant numbers of mental health service users are unable to exercise their right to vote during an election.
This could be because they are unaware that, unless you have been convicted, everyone is eligible to vote, or they do not know how to register or they may lack the confidence to vote.
While the deadline to register to vote has now passed, if you are registered and a medical emergency prevents you from getting out to vote in person you can still apply for an emergency proxy vote until 5pm on election day.
Psychiatrists and the wider mental health workforce have an important role to play in supporting patients in mental health services to their right to vote.
During the 2024 general election the College will work with relevant institutions to support mental health patients in hospitals to have the equal opportunity to fully participate in the country’s democratic process.
Below are a list of relevant resources and guides to help people living with mental illness to understand their rights and have the opportunity to vote.
Voting resources for people with mental illness
- Apply for an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm the day of the vote if you are unable vote in person.
- If you are a patient in hospital you can download a form to register to vote if you haven't got a fixed or permanent address. You must return the form to your local Electoral Registration Office.
- Photo ID: For the 2024 election you will need an accepted form of photo ID to vote.
- Rethink Mental Illness have created a useful guide on the information you need to cast your vote during a general election for anyone living with severe mental illness.