General Election 2017: Make sure you’re registered to vote

The Prime Minister has called for a snap General Election to be held on June 8th- just seven weeks away.

Am I eligible to vote?

You can vote in the referendum if you’re registered and are 18 or over on the day of the vote. You must be one of the following:

•    A British citizen living in the UK

•    A Commonwealth citizen living in the UK who has leave to remain in the UK or who does not require leave to remain in the UK

•    A British citizen living overseas who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years

•    An Irish citizen living overseas who was born in Northern Ireland and who has been registered to vote in Northern Ireland in the last 15 years

How do I register?

If you registered to vote in last year’s local and mayoral elections, you may not need to re-register.

Otherwise, you can register online here: gov.uk/register-to-vote

You will need your National Insurance number and your passport.

Note: If you’ve moved home since the last time you voted, then you will need to re-register at your new property.

You can still register to vote even if you do not have a fixed address. This may be because you are:

  • A hospital patient
  • Homeless
  • A merchant seaman
  • Part of the gypsy or travelling community
  • Living on a boat or other moveable residence
  • A person remanded in custody

If you do not have a permanent address, you can register at an address where you spend a substantial part of your time or have some connection. This could be a previously permanent address, shelter or similar place.

You can register by filling in a form called a ‘Declaration of local connection’, which can be downloaded here.

There are two forms – one for people in England and Wales and one for those living in Scotland. Alternatively, you can get the form from your local electoral registration office.

I’m registered, now how do I vote?

You can vote in the General Election come June 8 in the following ways:

  • In person at your local polling station – you can find the location on the Electoral Commission’s website closer to voting day.
  • By post, or by proxy

Details of the nearest polling station will most likely be shown to you on the back of your polling card, which you’ll receive in the post.

In England, Scotland and Wales, you can register to vote by post if you’re unable to vote in person on the day.

For a postal vote you will need to download a form and send it to your local registration office (mentioned above).

Your local council will then send you a ballot paper by post, which you will need to send back. This must done done in advance – all postal vote requests need to arrive at the office a few days before the election.

Can someone else vote for me?

If you can’t vote by either of these methods, you can apply to vote by proxy – allowing somebody you trust to submit your vote on your behalf.

This can be due to a disability, or if you’re abroad, or away on a course for work or university.

After completing the right form, you’ll need to print it, sign it, and send it back to your local electoral registration office. The deadline is usually 5pm, six working days before the poll.