How to vote in the 2024 General Election

The Prime Minister has confirmed the next General Election will take place on Thursday 4 July 2024 – make sure you’re ready to cast your vote!

Your vote is your voice - register to vote!

Why is voting important?

Voting is the cornerstone of people’s involvement in democracy. The ballot box is the place where people get to have their say on who represents them at a local or national level, to take decisions and to act on their behalf.

But if people don’t register, they can’t vote, it’s as simple as that.

In order to vote in this important election, you must be on the electoral register. Penzance Council is urging everyone who has not registered at their current address to make sure they are registered in time.

How to register to vote

The deadline to register to vote is 11:59pm on Tuesday 18 June 2024.

It’s quick and easy – it takes just five minutes online:

You have a range of options for casting your vote – in person, by post or by appointing someone you trust to vote in your place, known as a proxy vote.

If you know someone who can’t apply online, please contact Cornwall Council’s Elections Team who will be able to provide assistance: Tel: 0300 1231 115 or Email: [email protected]

What if you don’t have a fixed address, live overseas, or are serving in the armed forces?

Cornwall Council has lots of information on their website on how to register if any of these scenarios apply to you: Register to vote – Cornwall Council

Remember, you need approved voter ID to vote in person!

Voters in England now need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations.

Accepted forms of photo ID:

(Full list of accepted forms of photo ID available here: Accepted forms of photo ID | Electoral Commission)

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. Remember, it needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.

Don’t have an accepted form of photo ID?

You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, if:

Please note: you need to be registered to vote before you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (deadline to register to vote: 11:59pm Tuesday 18 June 2024).

The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June.

If you know someone who can’t apply online, please contact Cornwall Council’s Elections Team who will be able to provide assistance: Tel: 0300 1231 115 or Email: [email protected]

How to apply for a postal or proxy vote

For more information about postal and proxy votes please visit Cornwall Council’s Elections web pages: Different ways to vote – Cornwall Council

Please note: you need to be registered to vote before you can apply for a postal or proxy vote (deadline to register to vote: 11:59pm Tuesday 18 June 2024).

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 19 June:

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm Wednesday 26 June:

If you know someone who can’t apply online, please contact Cornwall Council’s Elections Team who will be able to provide assistance: Tel: 0300 1231 115 or Email: [email protected]

Still need help?

Easy-read guides for those with learning disabilities on registering to vote, deciding how you want to vote, applying for voter ID, and voting itself are available here: My Vote My Voice

You can also get in touch with Cornwall Council’s Elections Team who can provide assistance:

Tel: 0300 12341 115

Email: [email protected]

Web: Elections – Cornwall Council

All information on this page has been taken from The Electoral Commission and Cornwall Council’s Elections websites.

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