Voters Urged To Check They're Election Ready

10th June 2024

Voters urged to check they're election ready before it's too late
Issued on behalf of the Election Registration Officer for Highland and Western Isles

Anyone wanting to vote in the UK general election on 4 July, must be registered to vote before the deadline on midnight 18 June.

Voters can apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes just five minutes.

Voters have a range of options - they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 19 June. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is a week later, 5pm on 26 June.

For the first time at a UK general election, voters will need to show photo ID at a polling place. Accepted forms of photo ID include a passport, driving licence, older or disabled persons bus pass, and Young Scot card. For the full list of accepted ID, visit the Electoral Commission website.

If you do not have one of the accepted types of ID, you can apply for free ID at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or by completing and submitting a paper form to your local electoral registration office. You must apply by 5pm on 26 June, to be able to use the Voter Authority Certificate on 4 July.

Frank Finlayson, Electoral Registration Officer for Highland & Western Isles said: "Don't lose your chance to have your say at the general election. If you’re in doubt about whether you need to register to vote or have questions about how to apply for a postal or proxy vote, or free ID, you can contact the electoral registration office on 0800 393 783."

Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission, Scotland, said: "It is important that people check they’re election ready ahead of upcoming deadlines. All voters must be registered, and some may need to apply for a postal or proxy vote or free ID. Registering to vote is quick and easy and can be done online.

"Voters will need to show photo ID at polling places for this UK general election. Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID can apply for free ID online or by completing a paper form and submitting it to their local electoral registration office."

Information about the new requirement and all your voting options can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.
See https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id