Am I registered to vote in 2024 general election and do I need Voter ID?

Voters are heading to the polls on July 4 to decide who should govern the country and there are key steps to follow to make sure you have your say. Although much of the national conversation will be dominated by the party leaders, voters do not directly vote for a Prime Minister.

Instead, they have the chance to decide who should represent them as their area's MP in the House of Commons. The party with the largest number of MPs goes on to form a government, with the leader of that party serving as Prime Minister.

For those wanting to have their say, there are important steps you need to follow to make sure you are registered to vote and that you will be able to do so on polling day. Below are some key questions answered, based on guidance from the Electoral Commission.

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Am I already registered to vote?

You do not need to register to vote before every election. Those who move house or change their name will have to register to vote again.

To check if you are already registered, you should contact the electoral services team at your local district or borough council. If you are registered to vote, you will be on that council's electoral register.

How do I register to vote?

If you are not already registered to vote, you need to do so by June 18 to be able to have your say in the July 4 general election. You can register online on the Gov.UK website. The process is said to take just five minutes and you only require your National Insurance number to complete the process.

What about postal votes and proxy votes?

Postal and proxy voting is designed for those who either cannot attend a polling station on election day, or who would simply find it more convenient to vote another way. Those applying to vote by either method must first make sure they are registered to vote at all and to do so by the June 18 deadline if not.

Once registered to vote, those wanting a postal vote must apply by 5pm on June 19. Those who apply will be sent a postal vote ballot pack before the election.

Proxy voting involves asking someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf, which they can do either at a polling station or by post. Those applying will have to state why they need a proxy, with reasons including being on holiday on election day. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on June 26.

What do I need to take to the polling station?

The answer would once have been nothing, but rules introduced before the 2023 local elections mean everyone now needs to take Voter ID with them. Accepted forms of Voter ID are:

• Passport issued by the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country

• Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state

• Blue badge

• Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government

• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government

• Freedom Pass

• Biometric immigration document

• Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)

• National identity card issued by an EEA state

What if I don't have any of the accepted forms of Voter ID?

Those without any of the above documents can apply to be issued with a Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline to apply is 5pm on June 26 and applications can be made on the Gov.UK website. This certificate can then be used as your Voter ID on polling day.