How to register to vote in the 2019 general election before the deadline
MPs have voted to trigger an early general election and Britain will head to the polls on December 12.
There are several different methods of voting and ways to register - but you must do so before the deadline passes.
The deadline to register to vote is 11.59pm on November 26. If you want to apply for a postal vote, it must be done by 5pm on November 26.
How do I register to vote?
Those who are eligible to vote can do so by visiting the government’s website and filling out the relevant forms. Alternatively, you can apply by post by downloading ‘register to vote’ forms.
If you cannot vote in person you can ask someone to vote on your behalf, via a proxy vote. That person must be aged over 18 and be registered to vote.
In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you cannot get to the polling station in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy up to 5pm on the day of the election.
How to register for a postal vote
You can also download forms to apply for a postal vote in the general election should you need to for any reason.
If you are not sure whether or not you are registered, you should check with your local electoral registration office.
Who is eligible to vote in the general election?
To vote in a General Election you must:
be 18 or over on the day of the election (‘polling day’)
be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
be resident at an address in the UK (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years)
not be legally excluded from voting
Do I need to register to vote in the general election?
If you have never voted, have moved constituency or have turned 18 recently then you will need to register if you have not done so already.
If you are a student, you may be able to register to vote at both your home and term-time addresses – but you can only vote once in any election.
You can even get yourself on the register if you are 16 or 17 but you will need to have turned 18 before the election date to actually be eligible to vote.
If you’ve registered before to vote in previous elections, you may not need to register again.
However, if you have changed address, name or nationality since you last voted, you must register again.
When is the deadline for registering to vote?
You must register to vote by midnight by 11:59pm on 26 November.
Opting for a postal vote? Be sure to register before 5pm on November 26 if you live in England, Scotland or Wales.
Those living in Northern Ireland who wish to register for a postal vote need to do so by 5pm on November 21.
What if I live abroad?
You can register as an overseas voter for up to 15 years after you left the country, if you are a British citizen and you have been registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years .
If you are serving in the armed forces abroad there is a special form you can fill out here. Likewise, if you are a Crown servant and British Council employee working abroad you can fill out this form.
