Vote in the General Election

The UK General Election is coming up on July 4th, and it’s your chance to make your voice heard.

The General Election is when people in the UK who are aged over 18 can vote for which political party is in power, and who becomes the next Prime Minister.

Voting is your right, and it’s a way to choose who will make decisions about things that affect your life.

Why Should You Vote?

Voting is a way for you to say how you think the country should be run. When you vote, you help choose the leaders who will make decisions about healthcare, education, jobs, the environment and more.

Every vote counts, and your voice matters!

How to Vote

Register to vote by June 18th:

First, you need to be registered. The deadline to register to vote is June 18th, so don’t wait! The two main ways to vote are in person or by post. In some cases you can choose to vote ‘by proxy’, which means that someone else can vote for you.

You can register online and choose how you will vote at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Know your polling station:

Once registered, you will receive a poll card through the post that tells you where to vote.

The place you go to vote is called a polling station, and it is usually in a community building such as a hall, school or church.

Your polling station will be close to where you live.

Prepare for voting day:

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on July 4^th. You can decide what time you will go, who will go with you, and how you will get there.

You will need to bring photo ID with you to vote. This could be a passport, blue badge, disabled person’s bus pass or another form of ID listed online. www.myvotemyvoice.org.uk/register-to-vote

If you do not have any of the forms of photo ID listed you can ask for a free Voter Authority Certificate on www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

Support with voting:

Polling stations have support for people with learning disabilities.

You can ask for help from staff, bring someone with you to assist, or use tools like large print ballot papers and tactile voting devices.

You can prepare a voting passport before you vote. A voting passport is an A4 form that you fill out and hand to polling staff so they can easily understand what support you need to vote.

www.myvotemyvoice.org.uk/resource/voting-passport

Your Support Worker can help you to vote. Here is a guide for Support Workers: Supporting someone to vote

What to expect at the polling station

1. Check-in: When you arrive, you’ll need to give your name and address to the staff. They will give you a ballot paper. The ballot paper is what you use to cast your vote.
2. Voting booth: Take your ballot paper to a voting booth. The booth is private, so you can vote in secret, but you can bring someone in with you if you need support.
3. Mark your ballot: Follow the instructions to mark your choice clearly. If you’re unsure, you can ask the staff for help.
4. Submit your vote: Once you’ve marked your ballot, fold it and put it in the ballot box.

Need More Help?

Printable Easy Read guide to the General Election: Easy read – elections

Printable plain English guide to voting in person: How to vote in person – plain english

Download a voting passport to tell people how you’d like to be supported: www.myvotemyvoice.org.uk/resource/voting-passport

View Easy Read guides about politics, elections and voting online: www.myvotemyvoice.org.uk

View guidance for Support Workers: Supporting someone to vote