Andy Munns
With registration for the general election closing in less than a week, people are reminded not to wait until the last minute and register to vote before it’s too late.
To vote in the general election on Thursday, July 4th, people must register by midnight on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
To register to vote, people must be aged 16 or over, although only those aged 18 or over on polling day are eligible to vote. Those born on July 4, 2006, can vote in a general election for the first time this year.
If you haven’t already registered, you can apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Voters only need to register once unless they have changed their name, address, or nationality.
With the closing date for postal vote applications fast approaching, at 5pm on Wednesday 19 June, people who wish to vote in this way are also encouraged to do so as soon as possible to ensure their packs will arrive in time. People can apply for a postal vote at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. Postal vote packs for new applicants will be sent out around Thursday 27 June.
The other key dates for the election are:
- People have until 5pm on Wednesday 26 June to apply for a proxy vote (for someone to vote on their behalf) – www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote
- People have until 5pm on Wednesday 26 June if they want to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (if they don’t have photo ID) – www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
- Polling opens on Thursday 4 July from 7am – 10pm
- Election results confirmed in the early hours of Friday 5 July
There are five parliamentary constituencies in Wiltshire; Chippenham, East Wiltshire, Melksham and Devizes, Salisbury and South West Wiltshire.
Postal votes must be returned by Royal Mail, If people are not able to put their postal vote in the post, they can only hand them in at County Hall reception in Trowbridge by completing a form provided on arrival. People should not post postal votes directly in the post boxes at the council’s three main offices (County Hall, Monkton Park and Bourne Hill) as they will be rejected. Alternatively, on polling day people can hand postal votes in at the polling station. People can only hand in a maximum of five postal votes and your own (six in total).
Terence Herbert, Returning Officer for Wiltshire, said: “As the deadline to register fast approaches, it is important that Wiltshire residents are making sure that they are election ready. Registering to vote is a simple process that will take around five minutes and one that I’d encourage all eligible voters to do, to make sure that when the time comes on the 4 July, you are ready to exercise your democratic right and have your say in the general election.
“Due to the short time scale I encourage anyone wishing to apply to do so online. If this is not possible call our elections team on 0300 456 0112 or email voting@wiltshire.gov.uk for advice. It is important to remember these deadlines are set down in law.
“People who are already registered should soon start to receive their poll cards, which contain useful information on local polling stations and Voter ID. I’d recommend that everyone takes a moment to read the information so you’re all ready and we are looking forward to welcoming people to the polling stations on Thursday 4 July.”
People are required to have photo ID with them to vote at a polling station. Accepted forms of photo ID include passports, photographic driving licences, biometric immigration documents, and certain concessionary travel passes. A comprehensive list can be found at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id.
Those without an accepted form of photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024. The Voter Authority Certificate can be used at all elections and people are advised to apply as early as possible.
More information can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/general-election.
