WIREDGOV

There are just five days left for voters who want to take part in the general election to register to vote. Eligible voters have until the deadline of 23.59 Tuesday 18 June to get their application in. 

Since the election was called, nearly 1.5 million people have registered to vote.

Registering to vote only takes 5 minutes, and can be done online, with your name, address and National Insurance number. Applications can be made online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote (Opens in new window). A person can register if they are aged 18 or over on polling day, and are a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen. 

Research by the Electoral Commission in 2022 found that nearly 8 million people across the UK were not correctly registered. 

Young people, private renters and those who have recently moved house are less likely to be correctly registered to vote. 

Jackie Killeen, Director of Electoral Administration at the Electoral Commission yesterday said: 

“A general election is an important opportunity for people to express their views, and registering is the first step to the ballot box. It’s quick and simple to apply, and with only days until the deadline, time is of the essence.

“All voters must be registered before midnight on 18 June to take part, and those that plan to vote at a polling station need to check that they have an accepted form of ID in order to get their ballot paper. Complete those two tasks and you’ll be ready to cast your vote.”

Those voting at polling stations will need to show photographic ID. The Commission is calling on all voters to check now that they have an accepted form of ID ahead of the polls. 

The list of accepted forms is on the Electoral Commission website. Those without can apply for free ID called the Voter Authority Certificate, using the same information required to register to vote, plus a photograph. 

Anyone that is unable or does not want to vote at a polling station in Great Britain, can apply for a postal vote by 5pm on 19 June or a proxy vote by 5pm on 26 June. More information is available on the Commission website. 

For more information contact the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or press@electoralcommission.org.uk (Opens in new window)

Notes to Editors

• The deadlines in Great Britain are:

• Midnight Tuesday 18 June to register to vote
• 5pm Wednesday 19 June to apply for a postal vote
• 5pm Wednesday 26 June to apply for a proxy vote
• 5pm Wednesday 26 June to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate 

• Voters can apply to register to vote, for an absent vote, or a Voter Authority Certificate on gov.uk (Opens in new window) 

• The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity by:

• enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, focusing on the needs of electors and addressing the changing environment to ensure every vote remains secure and accessible
• regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, ensure compliance and pursue breaches
• using our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy, 
• aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency

• The Commission was set up in 2000 and reports to the UK, Welsh and Scottish parliaments.