Your Vote Counts: Everything you need to know

If you’re one of our student tenants, you may well be one of approximately 1.5m young people who are eligible to vote in the coming general election for the first time.  Here’s everything you need to know about voting in the general election. How to register to vote, how to vote on the day or before, who to vote for, what to expect in the poling both.

Key Dates

18th June 2024: Register to vote before midnight!
19th June 2024: Apply to vote by post (if for the first time)
4th July 2024: Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm for you to vote in person.

Registering To Vote

First things first, you need to register to vote by June 18, 2024. Here’s how:

1. Online: Visit the GOV.UK registration site. You’ll need your National Insurance number, and it takes about 5 minutes.
2. Paper Form: Prefer the traditional route? Fill out a paper form from the Electoral Commission website and mail it to your local Electoral Registration Office.

To register, you need to be a British, Irish, or qualifying Commonwealth citizen and 18 or over on polling day. In Scotland and Wales, you can register from age 14 but can only vote in certain elections at 16 or 17​ (Gov UK)​​ (Home Page)​.

The address you provide when registering to vote is where your polling card will be posted, and the poling station you will be required to visit (unless you opt for postal voting), on the day of the election will be close to the address you provide.

If you’re a student living between two homes, you’re entitled to vote in either of the constituencies, but not both.

Voting by Post

If you’re not going to be around or just prefer the convenience, you can apply for a postal vote. Here’s how:

1. Apply for a Postal Vote: Go to the GOV.UK website to apply online or fill out a form and send it to your local Electoral Registration Office.
2. Receive Your Ballot: You’ll get your ballot paper by post around three weeks before polling day. Complete it and return it in the post as soon as possible to make sure it’s counted.  If you’re running late, you can also hand it in at your local polling station​ before 10pm on the day of the election.

What to Expect on the Day

If you’re voting in person you will receive a voting card in the post prior to the election, it will give you the address of the polling station you will need to visit between 7am and 10pm. Polling stations are usually in schools or religious/community spaces.

You do not need to take your voting card with you; if you lose it, you can find the location of your polling station on the Electoral Commission website.

You’ll be greeted by volunteers who will ask for your name and address and to see a copy of your ID (this needs to be a passport, drivers licence or a voter authority certificate. No ID? Apply for a voter authority certificate on the GOV.UK website​. You’ll be given a voting slip with the name of the candidates for MP in your local constituency on, there won’t be a mention of the party leaders, but it will clearly say which party each candidate is standing for. Write an X in the box next to the candidate you want to vote for, then place it in the container. Don’t worry that you’re using a pencil, this is so that there is no smudging and that every vote counts… not to rub out your vote… but you’re free to bring your own pen with you if you wish!

Don’t Know Who to Vote For?

Not sure which party aligns with your views? Use Vote for Policies to compare the manifestos (won’t be released until closer to the election) of major political parties without knowing which party they belong to. It’s a great way to see which policies resonate with you the most​ (Vote for Policies)​.

For more detailed comparisons, check out Politics.co.uk which states it’s objectives to be ‘politically impartial and with no editorial agenda’.

When Will We Know Whos Won the 2024 General Election?

The results of the general election will start coming in soon after polls close at 10 PM on July 4. Each constituency will declare which candidate and thus which party has been elected.  Counting begins immediately, and initial results will be announced around midnight. By the early hours of July 5, we should have a clear picture of the outcome and know which party or coalition will form the next government​ (Wikipedia)​​ (Institute for Government)​​ (The Independent)​.

Everything Else

Can I Take a Selfie?

No selfies inside the polling station. The Electoral Commission, which oversees UK elections, prohibits photos to protect the secrecy of the ballot. Revealing how someone else voted, even accidentally, can lead to a fine of up to £5,000 or six months in prison. However, you can take photos outside.

Can I Share How I Voted on Social Media?

Yes, you can share your voting choice on social media, but not from inside the polling station. For postal ballots, you can share photos of your own postal ballot paper.

Can I Spoil My Ballot Paper?

Yes, you can deliberately spoil your ballot paper as a form of protest. These are recorded but do not count towards any candidate. If your ballot is signed or your name is identifiable, it will not count.

Can I Bring My Pet?

Only assistance dogs are typically allowed inside polling stations. Other dogs may be permitted at the discretion of the local authority.

Can I Wear Political Clothing?

You can wear political slogans to vote, but must leave immediately afterward as campaigning inside polling stations is not allowed.

Can I Discuss the Candidates?

No political discussions are allowed inside polling stations. Staff will intervene if they hear any references to candidates or parties.

Can I Vote if I’ve Been Drinking?

Yes, you can vote if you’ve been drinking, as long as you are not disruptive.

Can I Have Help if I Am Disabled?

Yes, polling station staff can help, or you can bring someone with you. In England, anyone over 18 can assist you. Polling stations should also have resources like large-print ballots and tactile voting devices for visual impairments. You can use your phone for accessibility apps, but no photos inside the booth.

Do I Have to Vote?

Voting is not compulsory in the UK. It is entirely your choice whether or not to vote.

Do I Have to Give My Details to Poll Takers Outside the Polling Station?

No, you do not have to give your polling card number to tellers. They are volunteers who work for candidates to track voter turnout, but providing your information is optional.