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Editor's factfile: May 3
Can I vote more than once if I live in two constituencies?
In a word - no. It is not illegal to appear on more than one electoral register. But it is a criminal offence to vote twice in the same election.
Many students and those with second homes do find themselves with multiple polling cards.
If you live in two places you are perfectly entitled to register as an elector at both addresses.
But on election day you must decide to cast your vote in just one constituency. It may be worth working out in which seat your vote will be most productive.
It is possible, however, to vote in a general election from one base and cast your vote in the local elections in the second area.
Similarly if you live within two local authorities which are up for election on the same day you can legitimately vote twice.
This may require a postal or proxy vote if the distance between the two is too much to travel on election day, however.
If you do vote twice in the general election the chances of being caught are slender. But doing to is a criminal offence and best avoided.
If convicted you could be prevented from voting for five years - or even do a stretch in prison.
While your vote is valuable, using it twice is probably not worth the prospect of porridge.
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