UK Election 2015: Where is my nearest polling station, what happens if I've lost my polling card and what do I need to vote

Polls have opened in the UK in one of the most unpredictable general elections in a generation - so having your say today could potentially be pretty important.

More than 3 million young people will be old enough to vote in a general election for the first time on Thursday, and older voters may have registered for the first time - but it's not always immediately obvious what you have to do.

Where do I vote?

Assuming you registered to vote in person, you can turn up at your local polling station on Thursday between 7am and 10pm. A polling card with the address should have been posted to you by your local election office, at your local council.

If you just want to check the address or want to speak to your local elections office, you can enter your postcode in the 'Your local area' box on the About My Vote website here to find contact details for your local elections office.

Please note - entering your postcode will not give you the address of your polling station. You will be provided with contact details for your local elections office, who can tell you where your polling station is.

What do I do if I lost my polling card?

The first thing to note is that you don't need your actual polling card to cast your vote.

Thousands of people across the country, from Folkestone to Durham to Suffolk, have reported that they were still without a polling card with just 24 hours to go to the election.

The Independent has got together with May2015.com to produce a poll of polls that produces the most up-to-date data in as close to real time as is possible.

Click the buttons below to explore how the main parties' fortunes have changed:

All data, polls and graphics are courtesy of May2015.com. Click through for daily analysis, in-depth features and all the data you need. (All historical data used is provided by UK Polling Report)

But if that's you - or if you've misplaced your card around the house - the electoral commission is appealing for you to go to the polling station and vote anyway.

Even if you do have your card, you don't need it with you when you vote. It's mainly useful to find out the address of your polling station - so follow the steps above to find that out instead.

Do I need to bring anything?

In short, no. But if you want to take along a mascot or lucky pen, that's fine.

The important point to note is that, due to restrictions on photographing others and publicising how someone else has voted, you shouldn't bring recording equipment or whip out a smartphone inside the polling station.

If you have a dog that doesn't like being left at home on its own, you are welcome to bring it along (though you may be asked to tie it up outside or leave it with a volunteer).

If you want to wear unusual clothing that's generally fine - though nothing overtly political that could influence others' vote, and nothing that may disrupt the voting process.

So now what?

When you get to the polling station, give your name and address to staff at the polling station. They should then give you a ballot paper (or two if there are local elections going on in your area).

To ensure that voting takes place in secret, you must cast it in the polling booth. That's the wooden thing with the curtain attached. Read the ballot paper carefully - it will tell you how to make your vote.

Usually this is by placing a cross next to the candidate of your choice, though other marks, such as a tick, are usually deemed acceptable. No other marks should be put on other parts ballot paper, or your vote may not be counted.

Then fold your ballot paper in half and place it in the ballot box.