Gear up for the General Election

Thursday 23 May 2024

On Thursday 4 July there will be a General Election to elect new MPs.

To vote in this election, you will need to: 

  • be eligible and registered to vote  

  • know how you’re voting, whether it’s in person, by proxy or by post  

  • have a valid form of ID if you are voting in person. 

Debbie Warren, Chief Executive of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “Our Council is committed to making sure all of those who are eligible to vote are able to exercise their right to vote. If you’re not already registered to vote, be sure to do so and put together a voting plan as soon as possible.”  

 

Register to vote 

The deadline to register to vote is 18 June. 

You are eligible to vote in this election if you are a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen who is over the age of 18 on 4 July. You can also use this interactive tool from the Electoral Commission to find out if you’re eligible to vote.   

If you have moved home in the last 12 months or have not already registered to vote at your current address, make sure you are registered at your new address. 

If you're a student and registered to vote in two areas - at home and at university - you can only vote in one at a general election. It is a criminal offence to vote twice in a UK general election. 

Register online. 

 

Know the different voting methods 

You can vote in person on election day, by post or by proxy. If you are away on election day, register for a postal or proxy vote as soon as possible to avoid delays. 

  • Voting at a polling station: When you first apply to register to vote you are automatically set to vote in person. Polling stations are open 7am to 10pm on election day. To vote in person, you will need to bring a valid form of ID. 

  • Postal voting: You can apply online before 5pm on 19 June to vote by post for any reason. Completed postal votes must reach us by the close of normal polling to be counted so be sure to post your vote as early as possible to avoid delays. Voter ID is not required for postal voting. 

  • Voting by proxy: Voting by proxy means appointing somebody else to vote for you if you cannot get to your polling station. Both you and the person voting for you (your proxy) must be registered to vote, but your proxy does not have to live in Royal Greenwich. Your proxy will be sent a proxy poll card, telling them where and when to vote. You must let your proxy know which candidate or party you want them to vote for on your behalf. You can register online for a proxy vote. The deadline to register for a proxy vote is 26 June at 5pm. If you are going to vote by proxy for someone else, you will need to bring your own form of voter ID, not of the person you’re voting for. 

 

Valid forms of voter ID  

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK or EEA photo driver’s licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo. See the full list of acceptable ID on the Electoral Commission website. 

If you do not have one of these forms of ID, you don’t look like your ID, or the name on your ID does not match the name on our voter registry, you can still vote using a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC).  

VAC is a free substitute for personal identification. Applications can be submitted through the online portal, at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk, or by submitting a paper form to Electoral Services, Town Hall, Wellington Street, London SE18 6PW. Those that have an accepted form of ID already do not need to apply.  

If you require a VAC, please apply before 5pm on 26 June. 

If you need help to get a photo ID or certificate, email elect@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or call 020 8921 5882. You can also get help signing up at your local library or community centre. 

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