A surprise election has been called for 4 July 2024. So, I will be writing a series of posts with my thoughts on various election-related issues, such as proposals for the future and comments on policy.
However, I am going to start with an important post which, technically, is ‘off topic’. This sets out the key dates and gives guidance on voting.
Because this is a very important election in which everyone should participate. Particularly young people. Because the future is yours.
The key 2024 election dates:
17th June – voter registration deadline (by midnight)
18th June, 5.00 pm – postal vote application deadline, or dealing for amending existing absent voting arrangements
26th June, 5.00 pm – Voter Authority Certificate applications deadline, new proxy vote applications deadline
4th July – election day – 7.00 am to 10.00 pm.
A few extra notes on these dates.
Voter registration deadline
In order to vote, you need to be registered. You can register if you are over 16 (although you can’t actually vote until you are 18).
The rules for who can register are set out on the gov.uk information page, although most people will be a British citizen. That page will also allow you to register online. You can also register using a paper form.
Its really important (if you are eligible) that you do this as if you are not registered, you can’t vote. So make sure you do this by 17 June.
If you are registered, you will be sent a polling card in advance of election day, telling you where your polling station is, and other information about how to vote.
Voting by post
If you can’t get to your polling office (for example, if you are disabled or if you have a holiday booked), you can vote by post.
Guidance can be found on the government help page. You can apply either online or by post. Bearing in mind the pending deadline, if you have not applied already, it may be quicker to do this online.
‘Easy read’ government guidance on applying for a postal vote is here.
You need to apply by 5.00 pm on 18 June.
Voting ID
You now need to take your ID with you to the polling station. It’s not enough just to have your polling card.
The government site has a list of the acceptable ID you can use.
Shockingly, older persons’ bus and other passes will count, whereas young people’s equivalents do not. Hopefully, this will be changed by the next government.
The most common ID that people will have already is a passport or one of the acceptable travel documents. Note that you can still use them if they are expired so long as the photo still looks like you.
If you don’t have any of the allowable ID documents (or if you no longer look like the photo on the ID you have), then you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
You can do this here, but make sure you apply by 5.00 pm on 26 June.
If you are reading this before 26 June 2024 and will need a Voter Authority Certificate apply now.
Proxy voting
This is where you are unable to vote yourself. It allows someone to vote for you. Obviously, you need to trust the proxy voter to vote for your chosen party.
Information about this and links to the form can be found here. Make sure you apply by 5.00 pm on 26 June.
Election Day – 4 July 2024
The final thing, if you have not already voted by post, is to get to the polling station on 4 July and vote!
Your polling card will tell you where your polling station is. You don’t have to take this with you when you go to vote, but it will help if you do.
If you are going to find it hard to get to your polling station, local political parties will generally provide transport, particularly if you are disabled. Get in touch with the party you intend to vote for and ask them if they can help you.
All political parties will be delivering leaflets which will have their contact details.
And finally
All the polling indicates, at the moment, that Labour are going to get in. If you support this, it is important that you vote anyway – don’t assume that because the polls show a big swing to Labour, your vote is not needed. It is. Polls can be wrong.
If you support the Tories or another party, your vote is even more important. So make sure you use it.
People have died for the right to vote in the past. It is disrespectful to them to do anything other than to use your vote for the party you believe in.
We will see on 5 July what the results will be.