Voting in the General Election

KEY DEADLINES

REGISTER TO VOTE

Tuesday 18th June before 23.59pm

APPLYING FOR A POSTAL VOTE

Wednesday 19th June before 17.00pm 

APPLYING FOR A VOTER ID

Wednesday 26th June before 17.00pm 

APPLYING FOR A PROXY VOTE

Wednesday 26th June before 17.00pm


"I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE..."

"i'm away on 4th july!"

You can apply for a postal vote!

"i'm away AND CAN'T DO POSTAL VOTING!"

Apply for a proxy vote! A proxy vote give permission for a trusted person to vote on your behalf.

"i'm a STUDENT AND NOT AT MY HOME ADDRESS!"

Register at both your term-time address AND home address but ONLY VOTE ONCE!

"I'M MOVING HOUSE!"

If your moving before 18th of June, register immediately at your new address.

"I DONT HAVE A STABLE HOUSE OR AM HOMELESS"

You can still register! You can provide the address of somewhere you spend a "substantial amount" of time. More info here.

"I DONT KNOW WHERE TO VOTE!"

Your polling card will list the address of your nearest polling station. You can ONLY vote at that polling station. 

"I LOST MY POLLING CARD!"

You don’t need your polling card to vote. All you need is a valid photo ID,  your name and address.


WHAT COUNTS AS VALID PHOTO ID?



You can also apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, a free form of photo ID made specifically for voting.


INFO FOR TRANS AND NON-BINARY VOTERS

"WHAT IF THE NAME I USE IS DIFFERENT FROM MY LEGAL NAME?"

If you have an accepted form of identification that lists your name that matches your name on the electoral register, then you shouldn’t have any issues.

"I DON’T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO SEE MY ID!"

You have the right to ask the clerk at the polling station to show them your ID away from anyone else. 

Find out more about your right to privacy here.

"I’M IN THE PROCESS OF TRANSITIONING, IS THERE ANYTHING I SHOULD KNOW?"

The main thing is that your appearance must match the ID you plan to use. The name you tell the clerk has to match the name listed on the register. 

You won't be allowed to cast your vote if the officer at the polling station thinks there is “a reasonable doubt” that you aren’t the person you claim to be, based on your photo ID.

The term “reasonable doubt” is not clarified, which leaves the decision at the discretion of the officers and clerks at polling stations. If your name, appearance, or gender expression appear different to the photo ID you’re using, this could potentially prevent you from being given a ballot paper.

BUT the law makes no specific reference to gender markers and photo Voter ID. In fact, many of the forms of photo Voter ID that are accepted don’t include any information about the holder’s gender.

"I’M MID-TRANSITION, SHOULD I GET A NEW ID PHOTO?"

If you’re transitioning and in the process of legally changing your name, or having gender confirmation surgery, or significantly changing your gender expression, then you might decide to wait to get a new photo ID so that your photo and other details are up to date.

If you think your appearance has changed significantly, it may be advisable to apply for a new photo ID that reflects your new legal name and / or appearance or a free Voter Authority Certificate. Where the name on your photo ID is different to that on the electoral register, you can bring a document with you that proves you have changed your name, and your photo ID should be accepted.