Polling stations opened at 7:00am and will close at 10:00pm on Thursday, with the results expected to give an indication of whether Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will be moving in to Downing Street after the next general election.
Local elections are taking place in 107 local authorities across England and Wales, as well as 11 mayoral races.
London mayor Sadiq Khan is seeking re-election and standing against 12 other candidates for the job.
Getting in on the action, Mr Khan and his wife Saadiya Ahmed were seen walking their dog Luna to a polling station to cast their votes.
Getting in on the action, Mr Khan and his wife Saadiya Ahmed were seen walking their dog Luna to the St Alban’s Church in South London to cast their votes
London mayor Sadiq Khan, pictured here with his dog Luna, is seeking re-election and standing against 12 other candidates for the job
Dogs Trust posted some advice for dog-owners taking their pooches to the ‘paw-ing station’.
In a post on X they said: ‘Be prepared for queuing in any weather! If it’s cold or wet, bring your dog’s coat.
‘Many polling stations allow dogs inside. If you’re not sure your does, take a voting buddy to watch them while you vote, or leave your dog at home.’
Plenty of dogs have been prepared for the British weather, accompanying their owners to the polls in tracksuits and rain coats.
Other four-legged friends are decked out in political regalia such as Stanley, who made it clear he would be voting for the Greens.
Anyone casting a vote in-person will need to show one of 22 accepted forms of ID including a driving license or a passport.
When asked about acceptable voted ID for a dog, Swindon Borough Council tweeted: ‘A good boy/girl certificate is acceptable, we believe.’
Caroline Lucas, co-leader of the Greens, said in a post on X: ‘Don’t forget the Tories made it deliberately more difficult for people to cast their votes today by bringing in a new requirement for photo ID – please remember to take it with you and have your say! And if you do have a dog, take them with you too.’
Hector was pictured at the polls in a red tracksuit
Stanley made it clear he would be voting for the Greens at his local polling station
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen’s dog Boris waited politely for the politician to cast a vote in Yarm
Dog walker Alistair Blake, from Oreton, Shropshire, was accompanied by French bulldog Coco on his way to the polls earlier today
Dawn Jenkin’s dog Sirius Papillon seems to be both at the polling station and running in the local election. His sign reads: ‘I’m all ears! A vote for me is a vote for all dogs!’
A labrador was pictured waiting patiently outside Bank View Cafe polling station in Stocksbridge, Sheffield
Local elections are taking place in 107 local authorities across England and Wales, as well as 11 mayoral races
One pup was not at all happy to be taken off his regular walking route in order to visit the polling station
Billy the Labrador was the first dog to visit a polling station in Swindon with owners Chris (left) and Larry (right)
Cinna, an 8-year-old rescue dog from Greece, was pictured arriving to the polling station at St Alban’s Church in South London
Cinna’s owners were at the polling station to cast a vote in the local elections
Toby, who was prepared for the weather in a red coat, reminds social media users to bring a form of ID with them
Another dog waits patiently for their owner to cast a vote in London
Photos of dogs pictured next to polling station signs has become a regular trend on social media but it is not a new practice.
An archived picture from the Manchester Guardian in 1921 shows a police officer standing outside a polling station looking after a baby and dog as their respective owners vote.
Whether or not you can take your dog inside a polling station can vary depending on where you are in the UK.
According to guidance from the Electoral Commission, dogs, apart from assistance dogs, are not usually allowed inside as they can disturb voters.
However, some polling stations may be more flexible. If you’re thinking of taking your dog along with you to vote, it’s best to check with the venue in advance.
Becky Thwaites, Head of Public Affairs at Blue Cross said: ‘We love how #dogsatpollingstations has become an event across the country at every election but do check in advance with your polling station to see if they allow dogs inside before taking them along.
‘Sadly there’s a real risk that your beloved pet could be stolen if you leave them tied up alone outside, so take someone with you who can stay with your pet while you vote, or leave your pet at home.’
A clipping from a copy of the Manchester Guardian in 1921 shows a police officer looking after a dog and a baby as their respective owners went inside to vote
Bailey the Saint Bernard was pictured waiting for his owners to vote at a library in Chester-le-Street in County Durham this morning
Miniature poodles Marvel and Belle went with their owner Roger Harden to a polling station in the London borough of Bexleyheath
Murphy, aged two-and-a-half, was at the Scout Hut polling station in Gloucestershire
CJ, a Staffordshire bull terrier, was at Blackpool polling station today with owner Sophia Shepherd
Daisy, pictured at her local polling station, urged her owner’s followers on X to vote
This pair of pups accompanied their owner Rhoda Barker-Wilson to the polls today
A rather large dog was spotted outside a polling station in Godshill Village
Although he did not bring a dog in tow, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was spotted voting in the local and mayoral elections.
The Labour leader arrived at the polling station with his wife Lady Victoria Starmer.
Pollsters have predicted swathes of Conservative losses in the local elections, results which will may have an impact on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s future at 10 Downing Street.
Voters in England and Wales will also elect 37 police and crime commissioners (PCC).
Freya and Lottie’s owner Elizabeth from Brighton told MailOnline that the pair were ‘eager to cast their vote for Sussex PPC’.
Freya and Lottie, as pictured at the polling station, were ‘eager to cast their vote for Sussex PPC’
Ernie, a Welsh terrier, also accompanied his owner to the polls
Former racing greyhound Bay waited at the entrance of a polling station in Horsted Keynes in rural Sussex
Pups Luna and Coco took their owner Suzanne Baum to the polling station
One French bulldog only went to the polling station for the treats