Elections
How Citizens Vote
In a representative democracy, the critical moment that citizens participate is in voting.
If you don’t vote you don’t participate, full stop. But how do you make the right choices?
Here is a step by step guide.
Register to Vote
Check you have Photo ID
Check Tactical Voting Advice
Check out the candidates & manifestos
How Citizens Prepare to Vote
Register to Vote
Go online www.gov.uk/register-to-vote?
Deadline for registering to vote in the General Election
Register by 11:59 pm on 18 June 2024 to vote in the General Election on 4 July 2024.
Check if you’re already registered
Contact your local Electoral Registration Office to find out if you’re already registered to vote.
Decide on Postal, In Person or Proxy Voting
None of us knew when a surprise General Election may happen. If you have plans or you’re not sure you’ll be able to make it to the polling station, you can apply for a vote by post. If you can’t attend in person or out of time arrange for a proxy vote.
www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote?step-by-step-nav
You must apply by 5pm on 26 June 2024 to vote by proxy in the General Election on 4 July 2024.
You can get someone else to vote on your behalf (a proxy) if you can’t get to the polling station in person.
You must apply by 5pm on 26 June 2024 to vote by proxy in the General Election on 4 July 2024.
Get your Photo ID
To vote everyone now needs to bring a photographic voter ID as well as a polling card. Not anything with a photo will do.
Find out what is acceptable photo ID here:
www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id
Know your Constituency
Find details of your constituency and sitting MP using your postcode.
The website
https://www.theyworkforyou.com
has information on your constituency, your sitting MP, their party and their voting record.
Check Candidate Options
Every election there are alternative candidates. People standing for office are called Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs).
This website has a rolling list.
Check your Tactical Voting Options
If you have strong views about the outcome of the next General Election – whether for or against a particular candidate or party – you could investigate tactical voting.
These websites have agreed on a common code of conduct to avoid confusing voters:
/www.bestforbritain.org/get_voting
Party Manifestos
Make sure you are familiar with the candidate you support and their party’s policy platform.
Labour: labour.org.uk/updates/stories/labour-manifesto-2024-sign-up/
Liberal Democrats www.libdems.org.uk/plan
Greens policy.greenparty.org.uk/ and https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/our-policies/our-political-programme/
SNP: www.snp.org/news/
Plaid Cymru www.partyof.wales/policies
Alliance Party Northern Ireland www.allianceparty.org/our_policies
Help Others to Vote
People talking to people and then acting together is what makes things happen. So talk to your friends and family about politics and the implications of their choices.
The youth vote is going to be very important if we are to make progressive politics the norm, help get them registered and feeling comfortable to vote if this is their first time.
On the day offer practical help to get others to the polls if you can.