Less than a week left to register to vote in General Election

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole residents wanting to vote in the General Election on 4 July, must register before the deadline on midnight 18 June if they have not already done so.

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

Voters will need to show photo identification to vote at polling stations for this General Election.

More information on this requirement is available at: www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/voter-photo-id

Graham Farrant, Returning Officer at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said:

“If you are not already registered to vote, you must register by Tuesday 18 June to be eligible to vote in the UK parliamentary general election on 4 July.

“With less than a week to go until this deadline, anyone unsure about whether they need to register to vote should contact our elections team on 01202 123 400 or via email at elections@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

“Once registered, voters have a range of options to cast their vote – they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.

“This is also the first General Election where voters will need to show photo ID at polling stations ahead of casting their ballot.

“Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID can apply for free ID online or request a paper application form from our elections team.”

Residents can apply for free ID at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

Applications must be made by 5pm on 26 June, to be able to use the Voter Authority Certificate on 4 July.

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.

Information about the new requirement and voting options can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.