GENERAL
The date for the General Election has been set for 4 July 2024.
The aim of this post is to ensure that brain injury survivors can fully participate in the democratic process and that they have the information they need to vote in the upcoming election.
REGISTERING TO VOTE
To vote in UK elections you must be registered on the electoral register.
Follow the link below and enter your postcode to find out which local council looks after the electoral register in your area.
https://www.gov.uk/contact-electoral-registration-office
If you are not yet registered to vote, you only need to register once, unless you have moved house or changed your name since you last registered. You will be asked for your National Insurance Number to register online, but you can still register if you don’t have one. You can register to vote at:
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
To vote in the upcoming General Election, you must be registered to vote by
11.59pm on Tuesday 18 June 2024
VOTING IN PERSON
You will be sent a polling card through the post a few weeks before the election containing details of your local polling station.
You can vote in person at the polling station listed on your polling card between 7am and 10pm on polling day.
You will need to bring a form of photo ID when casting your vote. The photo in your ID must look like you and list the same name that you are registered to vote with. Accepted forms of ID are listed at:
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id.
Please note that although your Headway Brain Injury Identity Card might be useful to have with you, it is not a valid form of ID when it comes to voting.
If you do not have a valid form of photo ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply for this online at:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
If you need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate to vote in the upcoming General Election, you must do this by
5pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024
When you first arrive at the polling station, you will be asked for your name and address, and your details will be checked against the electoral register. You will then be given a ballot paper so that you can vote. The staff at the polling station will be able to help you if you have any questions.
VOTING BY POST
Voting by post is a good option for many people. It can be useful if you have mobility issues, difficulties with transport, caring responsibilities or simply prefer it. You must be registered to vote before you can apply for a postal vote.
You must apply for a postal vote. You can apply for a postal vote at:
by printing a postal vote application form at:
or by contacting your local council for a form.
You will need to submit your application to vote by post by
5pm on Wednesday 19 June 2024
After you have requested a postal vote, a ballot pack will be sent to you by post ahead of the election. Read the instructions carefully so that you can familiarise yourself with the next steps. Complete the ballot paper carefully and confidentially and seal it in the envelope provided.
Post your postal vote envelope as soon as possible. You can take it to a regular post box. If you are not able to post your envelope yourself, ask someone to post it for you.
If you fail to post your postal vote ahead of time, you can still take your ballot paper to your local polling station on polling day and they will accept your ballot.
VOTING BY PROXY
Voting by proxy means that you can ask a trusted person to vote on your behalf. This can be useful if you have mobility issues, difficulties with transport, caring responsibilities or simply prefer it.
The person who votes on your behalf must be 18 or over, registered to vote, able to get to your polling station on polling day and eligible to vote in the election. They do not have to be related to you. A proxy can vote for a maximum of four people so you should check with them before nominating them as your proxy.
If you wish to vote by proxy you must apply to do so. You can apply for this online at:
or by printing a postal vote application form at:
www.gov.uk/government/collections/proxy-voting-application-forms
You will need to submit your application to vote by proxy by
5pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024
The person voting on your behalf should follow the same steps as voting in person. They do not need to take your ID when voting on your behalf, they should only take their own.