Millions of people aren’t registered to vote in the next general election on 4th July – are you one of them?
We’re encouraging everyone we work with to get registered to vote and get ready to have their say ahead of the next general election.
The deadline to register is 11.59pm on Tuesday 18th June – not long to go!
Research shows you are less likely to vote if you are:
- Under 25,
- A non-UK national,
- Rent your home,
- Have recently moved house,
- Live in an economically disadvantaged community,
- From an ethnic minority.
How does a general election work?
A general election is held to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to the House of Commons – one from each of the 650 constituencies in the UK. On 4th July, registered voters will be allowed to cast one vote for their preferred candidate. You can vote either at your local polling station between 7am and 10pm, by post, or by proxy – meaning someone votes on your behalf. You can also vote from abroad, if you’re a British Citizen but not in the UK.
The candidate with the most votes is elected MP for their constituency. After all the votes have been counted, the king will ask the leader of the political party with the most MPs to form a government. The second-biggest party will become the opposition.
How do I register?
You can register to vote by filling out a short form on the Government’s website.
You can access this form, here.
The deadline to register to vote in the general election is 11.59pm on Tuesday 18th June.
Who can register?
If you live in England and Northern Ireland:
- You must be aged 16 or over to register and 18+ to vote,
- Anyone on the electoral register aged 18 or over on polling day can vote in the general election as long as they are a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland citizen with a UK address.
You can also register to vote using a paper form in England, Wales and Scotland.
You’ll need to print, fill out and send the form to your local Electoral Registration Office.
What do I need on the day?
Voters must show a valid form of photo ID at polling stations to vote in person at a general election.
There are 22 acceptable forms of ID, including:
- Passports
- Driving license including provisional
- Older or Disabled Person’s bus passes.
If you don’t have any photo ID and are registered to vote there is the option to apply for a Voter ID certificate, you can apply for yours, here.