General Election 2024

As the Prime Minister has announced that the General Election will be held on Thursday 4^th July, a few hopefully helpful links for members.

First, if you’re eligible to vote in General Elections (UK citizens, and Irish and Commonwealth citizens lawfully resident in the UK – and over 18 years of age), you have to be on the electoral register for the area you live in. If you’re not – e.g., because you’ve recently turned 18, or you’ve moved house in the last few years, you can find out how at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

If you’ve registered and intend to vote in person, you’ll need to take along a recognised form of Photo ID. If you live in Great Britain, you can find details of the ID that’s acceptable at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id, and if you discover that you don’t have a form of ID that’s acceptable, you can apply at the same site for a Voter Authority Certificate.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you can find the relevant information at https://www.eoni.org.uk/Electoral-Identity-Card/Electoral-Identity-Card-FAQs (the Voter Authority Certificate is replaced by the Electoral Identity Card in Northern Ireland).

Wherever you’re registered, if you’re not going to be able to vote in person, you may be able to apply for a postal vote – the details are at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-post.

Alternatively, you may be able to appoint a Proxy Voter – that is, authorise someone to cast your vote at the ballot station on your behalf. You can find out more at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/ways-vote/apply-vote-proxy.

It’s important to note that, although the election is scheduled for 4^th July, you have to register, apply for a Voter Authority Certificate / Electoral Identity Card, or a postal or proxy vote some days / weeks in advance.

So if you’re not sure – check, and if necessary, take action, now!