Everything you need to know about going to polls on election day

Election day is Thursday July 4.

Vosters across the UK will be voting for one 650 MPs,and choosing the next government and Prime Minister.

Here’s the essential guide to what you need to know

Voting in Person

If you want to vote in person on Thursday you’ll need to go to the polling station assigned to you.

The address of the polling station will be on the polling card you will have been sent.

There is no need to take that card with you to vote.

But

YOU MUST HAVE ONE OF THE AGREED FORMS OF PICTURE IDENTIFICATION TO BE ABLE TO VOTE.

Valid forms of ID include passports, driving licence cards, older people’s transport passes, the UK proof of age card and MOD identity cards. Those who do not have any of those have been able to get a voter recognition certificate.

The accepted forms of ID can be expired, but the picture must still look like you.

The polls open at 7am and remain open until 10pm. If you are in the queue to vote by 10pm you should be allowed to continue even if that means voting after the stroke of 10.

When voting, make one unambiguous mark – an X is traditional - in the box next to the candidate you want to win. Don’t make any other marks as this may lead to your vote being deemed spoiled.

Proxy Votes

In certain circumstances; a medical emergency, being called away for work suddenly, or photo ID being lost, stolen or damaged,   you can apply for an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on polling day using forms on the Swindon Borough Council or Wiltshire Council websites, depending on where you are voting.

The person who will go to the polling station to cast a vote on your behalf must take their own photo ID.

Postal Votes

You should have received, and sent back your postal vote by now. If you haven’t managed to get it in the post, you can take it to a polling station.

When handing in postal votes, you will need to complete a form. You will need to include your name and address, how many postal votes you are handing in and why you are handing in those postal votes.

Dogs in Polling Stations

Apart from guide and hearing dogs, all animals should be left outside the polling station.

And do not take a selfie, or any other photograph, inside the polling station.

Tellers outside the polling station are allowed to ask you your name and voting number. You do not have to tell them.