A Guide To: The General Election

A Guide To: The General Election

With the 2024 UK General Election set for Thursday, 4th July 2024, it is crucial for eligible voters to register at the correct address by the deadline of Tuesday, 18th June 2024. You can register to vote at both your out-of-term address (such as your parents’ or carers’ home) and your student term-time address.

While you can only vote at one registered location, you have the choice of which one to use. Remember to register your term-time address as the address you will be living at on 4th July, as it may differ from your current address. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you register to vote:

Step 1: Eligibility Check

You can register to vote if:

  • You are a British citizen, or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a Commonwealth country with leave to remain in the UK.
  • You are 18 or over on the day of the election
  • You are a resident at an address in the UK or a UK citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years.

Step 2: Register Online

Visit the UK Government’s voter registration website

Follow the instructions on the screen – the process will take 5 minutes. Before you start the registration process, make sure you have the following information ready:

  • Your National Insurance number.
  • Your date of birth.
  • Your current address.
  • Your previous address (if you have moved recently).

You will receive a confirmation email once you have successfully registered

Step 3: Choose Your Voting Method

  • In Person: You will vote at your local polling station on election day.
  • By Post: If you are away from home or prefer to vote by post, you can apply for a postal vote.
  • By Proxy: If you can’t vote in person, you can nominate someone you trust to vote on your behalf.

Step 4: Stay Informed

Keep up to date with the latest election news and candidate information to make an informed choice. Consider attending local debates or reading up on party manifestos.

Registration Deadline & Voter ID

You must register to vote by Tuesday 18th June 2024 to be eligible to vote in the 2024 General Election.

You will also need to provide a valid photo ID to vote in the general election. If you don’t have a valid photo ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate to use instead. For more information on the upcoming election, voter registration, and other details, visit the Electoral Commission website.