Election latest: Party leaders vote as the UK goes to the polls; dogs spotted at polling stations (2024)

This is the first general election in which all voters will need to provide ID in order to cast a ballot.

There are 22 different types of ID you can use. For people without photo ID, Voter Authority Certificates are available - but you must have applied by 26 June.

Here's everything you need to know.

What ID can eligible voters use to vote in elections?

• Most forms of existing photo ID will be accepted, including:
• UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
• driving licence issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
• UK passport
• passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or a Commonwealth country
• PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• Blue Badge
• biometric residence permit (BRP)
• Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
• national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein
• Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
• Voter Authority Certificate
• Anonymous Elector's Document

The following travel passes will also be accepted:

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

Voters can still use photo ID that is out of date, as long as it still looks like them and the name is the same one used to register to vote.

What ID do you need if you're voting as someone's proxy?

You'll need to take your own ID if you're voting on someone else's behalf. You do not need to take theirs.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has brought his whole family to the polling station he and his wife, Krystle, voted at in Elgin.

Alastair, five, and James, three, were pictured being held by their parents outside Fogwatt Hall in Longmorn.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was joined by his wife, Furheen, as they voted in Glasgow this morning.

One of their three children, son Aliyan, also joined them.

We've had photos of your dogs, cats and horses at polling stations - and we would like even more for today's general election coverage.

Any type of animal is welcome.

Include where the polling station is, the name of your pet and your name, if you wish.

Here is how to send them to us:

If you want to send us pictures and video from your mobile phone use 'Your Report' on the Sky News app.

Or send us a message on WhatsApp.

By sending us your video footage/photographs/audio you agree we can broadcast, publish and edit the material and pass it onto others for similar use in any media worldwide, without any payment being due to you. Please do not submit your contribution unless you accept this.

No matter how big or small, dogs are welcome at polling stations.

Some may not be allowed to go in (check at your polling station), but this Bernese mountain dog was granted entry in Oval, south London, this morning.

Elsewhere, Nala the Chihuahua chose to stand guard outside a polling station in Walthamstow while her owner, Simon, voted inside.

British tennis player Emma Raducanu appears to have been otherwise occupied.

The 21-year-old was asked at a news conference after beating Belgium's Elise Mertens at Wimbledon on Wednesday if she would vote before practising on Thursday.

"No," she replied.

"I think I'll have a lie-in, then I'll come to practise.

"I didn't even know it was tomorrow, to be honest! Thanks for letting me know."

Fellow player, British No 1 Katie Boulter, said she was "going to stick to the tennis right now" when asked if she would be voting.

Raducanu won the US Open in 2021 aged 18, but has suffered injury setbacks since and came into this year's Wimbledon as a wildcard, with a 135 singles ranking.

She is now in the third round and will face Greece's Maria Sakkari, ranked ninth in the world, on Friday.

Raducanu will also play mixed doubles with Sir Andy Murray on Saturday after he asked her when he bowed out of the singles tournament on Tuesday due to injury.

While most people tend to walk, drive or even catch the bus to their polling station, one voter has chosen a rather different method of transport.

A woman was pictured outside East Meon village hall, in Hampshire, having seemingly ridden her horse to cast her vote.

The animal and its rider appeared to be exchanging glances with a small dog tied up outside the venue.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria, have cast their votes in Camden, north London.

Appropriately, he was wearing a red tie and she was wearing a red dress.

Earlier, actor Charles Dance was seen lining up to vote at the same polling station.

Award-winning actor Charles Dance, 77, has been seen waiting in line to cast his vote in Camden, north London.

Known for often playing villains, his latest roles have been as Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones and Lord Mountbatten in The Crown.

George the co*cker Spaniel joined his one-year-old sister, Darcey, as their parents voted in Whitton, southwest London.