RISHI Sunak has confirmed that the rumours are true: a General Election is to be held on July 4, 2024.
The vote is widely expected to see the Conservatives turfed out of office after 14 years, with a Labour government under Keir Starmer moving in.
The election will be held just 43 days after it was announced – meaning you don’t have too long to make sure you can cast your ballot.
First, you need to make sure you are registered to vote. You can check how to do that here.
But in Scotland, this Westminster vote will be the first – other than the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election – at which the Tories’ new voter ID laws are in place.
Here’s what you need to know.
Will I need photo ID to cast my vote?
Due to new rules brought in by the Conservatives, every person who wishes to vote in the General Election will need to show photo ID at the polling station.
Polling has found that people north of the Border are less aware of the new rules than people in England and Wales, where ID laws are also in effect for local elections.
To ensure you are not turned away from a polling station, make sure you have photo ID.
📢 Election information! When a UK Parliamentary (general) election is called, you'll need to have your photo ID ready if you plan to vote in person. Don't forget to bring an accepted form of ID to the polling station. More information 👉 https://t.co/TzMCvOlXtf pic.twitter.com/h5mUlHmfvS
— Glasgow City Council (@GlasgowCC) May 22, 2024
Reminding people in Glasgow of the new rules, the local council wrote on social media: “Election information! When a UK Parliamentary (General) Election is called, you'll need to have your photo ID ready if you plan to vote in person.
“Don't forget to bring an accepted form of ID to the polling station.”
What forms of ID will be accepted before I can vote?
You’ll need one of the following types of photo ID to vote:
- a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- a driving licence issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
- a UK passport
- a passport issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
- a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- a Blue Badge
- a biometric residence permit (BRP)
- a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
- a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
- a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
- a Voter Authority Certificate
- an Anonymous Elector’s Document
The name on the ID must match your name on the electoral register.
What if I don’t have a valid photo ID?
You can still use your ID even if it has expired, so if you have an old passport around then that will be alright – but the photo must still look like you.
If you do not have anything you can use, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. You can do so on the UK Government website here.
You will need your national insurance number and a recent, digital photo of yourself.
If I’m voting as a proxy, will I need ID?
You’ll need to take your own ID when you go to vote on someone else’s behalf. You do not need to take theirs.
