Make sure you’re ready to vote in time for the general election next month so you can have a say on who you want to represent you.

The UK Parliamentary Election takes place on Thursday 4 July.

To vote, you must be on the electoral register.

This year, for the first time at a general election, if you’re voting at a polling station, you will also need to have photo ID. If you don’t have this, you can apply for free photo ID, known as a voter authority certificate.

Anne-Marie Bond, Returning Officer for Torbay Council, said: “With just over a week to go until the deadline to register to vote, we’re urging residents who have recently turned 18 or who haven’t registered at their current address yet to make sure they do so by midnight on Tuesday 18 June. It takes just five minutes. If you are already on the register, you do not need to contact us.  

“This election will be the first general election that requires voters to have photo ID if they’re voting at a polling station. If you don’t have ID that looks like you, you will not be able to vote, even if the polling clerk recognises you."

“These elections are an opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues here in Torbay, so please don’t miss out.”

Check what photo ID is acceptable

If you were registered to vote in the last election and your details have not changed, you will still be registered to vote. If you are applying for the free photo ID, you will have to be registered to vote first.

If you would like to have a postal or proxy vote, you will also need to apply in advance for these.

Here are the key dates to remember:

Deadline to register to vote	Midnight Tuesday 18 June
Deadline to apply to vote by post	5pm Wednesday 19 June
Deadline to apply to vote by proxy	5pm Wednesday 26 June
Deadline to apply for a voter authority certificate if you don’t have voter ID	5pm Wednesday 26 June

 

Visit the Parliamentary Elections page to see a list of all the people nominated to stand in this election, details of how to register to vote, information about voter ID and how to apply for a proxy and postal votes