Are you ready to vote?
The UK General Election will take place on Thursday 4 July 2024.
Students make up 10% of the UK voting population, so this is a real chance to have our voice heard
and vote for a better, brighter future.
We have the power to make politicians and political parties take note of students, but the only way
we can do this is by turning up to vote.
The deadline to register to vote was 18 June 2024, so what happens next? As long as you’ve
registered, voting on Thursday 4 July should be simple! You can find your polling
station here, or on the poll card you’ll receive in the post.
If you are away on 4 July and registered for a postal vote, read how to complete and return it here. You must post your ballot
as quickly as possible to make sure it’s counted! If you registered for someone to vote on your
behalf (known as a proxy vote), you can find more information here. Note, the deadlines to
apply for a postal or proxy vote have now passed, so this information is only relevant to those who
already applied.
What to expect on the day
So you’ve registered, got your ID ready and know your local polling station, but what actually
happens when you go to vote?
On Thursday 4 July you can head to your local polling station between the hours of 7am and 10pm.
Make sure to take your photo ID with you otherwise you will be unable to vote when you arrive.
Remember, student cards don’t count as a form of Voter ID! Check accepted ID here.
Polling stations are usually located in schools, churches or community centres and will be clearly
signposted. You have to go to your allocated polling station – you can't go to a different one.
When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by volunteers or staff who will ask you your name and address and
check your ID.
From here you’ll get your ballot paper, which lists the candidates you can vote for, and will be
directed to one of the available booths to cast your vote.
Read the ballot paper carefully and complete using the pencil provided – you can use your own pen if
you want to. Don’t write anything else on the paper, or your vote may not be counted. If you make a
mistake, ask the polling station staff for a replacement ballot paper.
Once you have voted, fold your paper in half and head back over to the table where a box will be
present for you to slot the paper in.
That’s it! You’re done and have voted in the 2024 General Election.
All votes will be counted overnight so on Friday 5 July we should know who the next Prime Minister
is.