Time is running out for people if they want to cast their ballot in the upcoming General Election, here is how you can register to vote.
Rishi Sunak shocked the nation when he announced there would be a General Election in July. The last time the nation went to the polls saw Labour win a sizeable majority when Clement Attlee beat Winston Churchill’s Conservatives on July 5, 1945.
The UK will go to the polls on July 4, but all eligible voters will have to register around two weeks ahead of election day if they want to avoid being turned away. Thankfully, registering takes about five minutes if you have all of your information to hand.
You must register to vote by 11:59pm on June 18.
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What will I need to register to vote?
Before you start have your National Insurance number or another type of ID and current address to hand. You will then need to go onto https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and fill out the form.
Students can register at their home and term-address, but they will only be allowed to vote at one location. Voting at more than one location and more than once is a form of fraud and is a criminal offence.
I’ve moved since I last voted, do I have to register again?
Yes. You must register to vote if you’ve changed your address, nationality, or name if you want to cast your ballot.
I’m under 18, can I register to vote?
Yes, although you may not be allowed to vote in the upcoming election.
If you live in England and Northern Ireland you can register to vote if you are 16 or over. In Scotland and Wales, you must be 14 years or over.
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I can’t get to a polling station on Election Day, what can I do?
You can apply to vote by proxy, or postal vote, but you must still register before the deadline on Tuesday June 18.
A proxy vote means someone else will vote for you on election day while a postal vote means you will be able to vote by post instead of at the polling station. The deadline to submit a postal vote application must be done before 5pm on Wednesday June 19. Be sure to check
I’m not a British citizen, can I register to vote?
Yes, although you might not be able to vote in the General Election. Only British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizens can vote provided they are 18 on election day.
You can register if you are a citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain or a citizen of another EU country if you have had permission to enter or stay since December 31, 2020 and this has continued without a break. Commonwealth citizens can also register.
EU citizens who register can vote in local elections, but are unable to cast a ballot in the General Election.
I live abroad, can I still register to vote?
Yes, and you must do so before 11:59pm on June 18. Eligible Irish citizens can also vote in Northern Ireland while abroad.