6 months ago
The clock is ticking, and the deadline to register for the upcoming General Election is fast approaching.
Whether you need to register to vote, send a postal vote because you’re away, or sort out voter ID, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know to make sure your voice is heard!
Before anything else, check if you’re already registered to vote. If you participated in the recent local elections, you’re likely already on the list. To double-check, contact your local Electoral Registration Office.
Registering to vote is a quick five-minute process. The only tricky part might be your National Insurance number, so have it handy. Make sure you complete your registration before 23:59 on 18th June. You need to be aged 16 or over (though you can’t vote until you’re 18), and either a UK or Irish citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen living in the UK, or a qualifying EU citizen living in the UK.
With the General Election smack in the middle of summer – during Wimbledon and the Euros, no less – you might be away on 4th July. Here’s what you can do:
A postal vote means you fill in your ballot remotely and mail it to your polling station. Here’s what you need:
Apply by 5pm on 10th June. Ballot papers start arriving by post three weeks before the election, so the sooner you apply, the better. Complete and return your ballot by 10pm on polling day, but be mindful of postal delays!
If postal voting isn’t for you, you can nominate someone to vote on your behalf (a proxy). Both you and your proxy must be registered to vote in the UK. Apply by 5pm on 26th June using the same details needed for a postal vote.
If you’re voting in person, visit your polling station between 7am and 10pm on 4th July. New this year, you’ll need to bring a form of photo ID. Don’t have one? Apply for a free voter ID by 5pm on 26th June.
If you’re moving, contact your local council to update your details.
Make sure you’re ready for the General Election and get everything sorted in time. Your vote matters, so don’t miss out!