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How to vote in the general election


You also have the option to select your candidate by post, which can be done if you will not be able to attend a polling station on polling day or if it is more convenient for you.

To do so, you must have registered to vote and also completed the postal vote application before the deadline, which passed at 5pm on June 19.

Those who have applied for a postal vote will automatically be sent a postal ballot. All the necessary information on how to correctly select a candidate and send in your vote is provided on the form.

It is advised that postal voters fill out their forms and send them for free via the Post Office or a postbox as soon as they can.

There is no formal deadline for when the ballot needs to be sent off. But if you do so too close to July 4, it may not be delivered in time to be counted.

Despite reports of delays, Royal Mail said they “remain confident” that postal votes received on time will be delivered before polling day. You can read more about what to do if your postal ballot is delayed here.

Alternatively, you can take your completed form to your local polling station and deliver it by hand before the polls close at 10pm on polling day.

You can get someone else to vote on your behalf if you cannot attend a polling station in person, are registered as an overseas voter, have a medical issue or disability, or cannot vote in person because of work or military service.

The deadline for registering to vote by proxy passed at 5pm on June 26. You must also have already registered to vote.

You will need to tell your chosen proxy who to vote for, so they should be someone you trust to vote on your behalf. They must also be registered to vote and can do so at the polling station specified on your poll card.

If you missed the deadline, you may be able to put in an application for an emergency proxy vote up until 5pm on the day of the election in certain cases, including: 

  • Lost photo ID
  • Medical emergency or disability
  • Due to your employment
  • New or replacement photo ID order not arriving on time

To apply, you need to fill out one of three forms, depending on your circumstance, and send it to your local Electoral Registration Office. There are separate forms for reasons relating to employment, medical emergency or disability and to photo ID.

If you are applying for an emergency proxy vote because of a medical emergency, disability or your employment, you will need to get your application form signed by an “appropriate person” such as a doctor or employer before submitting it.

You vote in person at a polling station, which is usually a public building such as a school or local hall.

It is only possible to vote at your designated polling station. Usually, this is the nearest one to the address you are registered at.

If you require physical access, a disabled parking space or a large print version of the ballot, your local Electoral Registration Office can tell you about what is provided at your polling station.

Local Electoral Registration Offices can provide information about where the nearest polling station is – but voters are also sent a poll card that says when the vote is and which station to attend.

Polling stations will be open tomorrow from 7am to 10pm.

A valid photo ID is all you are required to bring with you to the polling station to be able to vote tomorrow. 

The name on the ID must match the name provided on the electoral register, otherwise, a voter can bring a document with them to the polling station that proves they have changed their name.

Since May 2023, voters in England, Wales and Scotland have needed to provide a form of photographic ID at the ballot box. Voters in Northern Ireland also need to do so.

For the general election, voters will need to show a form of identification such as a driving licence, passport or blue badge to be able to cast their vote.

Voters were also able to apply for a free voter authority certificate (VAC) either online or by post if they did not have an accepted photographic ID available.

The deadline to apply for a VAC passed on June 26 at 5pm and was done through the Electoral Commission’s website

No, you do not need to bring your poll card with you to be able to vote tomorrow. Your poll card will be sent to you just before election day and if you have not received one but think you should have, you can contact your local Electoral Registration Office.

No, it is not possible to vote in the general election online.

Experts say that security and anonymity concerns make it difficult to implement an online voting system.



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