General Election: A guide on how to vote

On Thursday 4 July, Britain will head to the polls for a general election.

Those who are eligible will be voting for their next MP. The political party which has the most MPs will then form the next government.

This will be the first general election where voters will require a form of photo ID to vote in person. This guide will break down exactly what you need, and the dates you need to get it by so you can vote with peace of mind.

The deadline to register to vote in this election is Tuesday 18 June, by 11:59pm. To register to vote online, follow this link: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

You may need to re-register if you have recently changed your name, address or nationality.

Accepted forms of Photo ID
You can use any of the following forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station:

• Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card) 
• Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
• A Blue Badge
• Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
• 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
• Freedom Pass
• Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
• Other government issued documents
• Biometric immigration document
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• National identity card issued by an EEA state
• Voter Authority Certificate
• Anonymous Elector's Document

Check this link for the full list of accepted forms of photo ID: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id 

You can still use your photo ID if it’s out of date, as long as it looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same as the one you used to register to vote.

If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document- known as a Voter Authority Certificate- by 5pm on Wednesday 26 June.

Postal Votes
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is Wednesday 19 June by 5pm. To apply, follow this link: https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote   
Make sure to post your vote in plenty of time so it can be counted. If you are handing in your postal vote at the polling station, you need to complete a form with a member of staff. 

Any postal votes dropped off at the polling station without the form will not be accepted, and your vote will not be counted.

Proxy Vote
You can get someone else to go to the polling station to vote on your behalf if you cannot go in person. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is Wednesday 26 June, by 5pm. To apply for a proxy vote, visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote   

Remember that your voice matters, so don’t miss the deadlines. Happy voting!

For more information visit: https://www.watford.gov.uk/elections and https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/ways-vote