It’s not even been a month since the UK last headed to the polling stations – to pick mayors, councils, PCCs and whatever – and now we’re being asked to do it again! If you’re hoping for a laidback summer full of sunshine, football, beer gardens, and city breaks, think again. It’s going to be about one thing and one thing only, P-O-L-I-T-I-C-S. On July 4, the UK will vote in a general election to decide the future of the country.
How do I check if I’m registered to vote?
Before we talk about anything else, you need to make sure you’re registered to vote. If you voted in the recent local elections, odds are you already are, but you can double check by contacting your local Electoral Registration Office.
Taking place abnormally over the summer, we expect many people (mainly students) to not be at their usual addresses. So ensuring you can vote in the next UK general election in your area or are ready to postal/proxy vote is vital. With the general election only six weeks away, the deadline to register is June 18 at 11.59pm.
What do I need to register?
If you’re not registered, it shouldn’t take too long. It’s a quick five-minute survey and the only detail you should need that isn’t stored in most people’s brains is your National Insurance number. You can register here.
What If I’m on holiday during the general election?
So yes, dropping a general election in the middle of summer – during Wimbledon and the Euros too – isn’t everyone’s ideal timing. There’s a good chance many of us will be away and unable to vote in person on July 4 (myself included). So let’s figure this out together:
How to postal vote:
A postal vote means you will fill in your ballot remotely and post it to your polling station. You’ll need to fill in an online form with:
- Your registered voting address where you are registered to vote
- Your National Insurance number
- A photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on white paper
You must apply no later than 5pm, 11 working days before the election (June 23). Ballot papers should start arriving by post three weeks beforehand, however, so the sooner the better. They must be completed and returned by 10pm on polling day, but we all know how temperamental the post can be, so don’t hesitate! Apply to postal vote here.
How to proxy vote:
Your alternative option is to choose someone else to vote on your behalf (aka a proxy). You and your proxy must both be registered to vote in the UK before you can apply, which you must do by 5pm, six working days before polling day (June 28). To register, you’ll need the same details as you would for a postal vote, and you can do that here.
What about voter ID?
If you can still vote in person at the general election, all you’ll need to do is visit your polling station between 7am and 10pm on July 4. There is one small change compared to the last election held in 2019, however, you will need to bring a form of photo ID.
ID you can use to vote:
- a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- a driving licence issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
- a UK passport
- a passport issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
- a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- a Blue Badge
- a biometric residence permit (BRP)
- a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
- a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
- a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
- a Voter Authority Certificate
- an Anonymous Elector’s Document