General Election 2024

A General Election will take place on Thursday, July 4^th. We know that it's a lot of info to take in in a short amount of time and that you might read some guidance that are not super clear to your specific situation so we thought it might be helpful to create our own FAQs to help you navigate the next few weeks! 

In order to vote in the General Election, you must do these two things:

• You must be registered to vote – find more information for students here.

• You must have Photo ID* – get FREE Voter ID from CitizenCard using code ‘NUS’ here.
   

How do I register to vote?

You can register to vote on the UK Government’s website here (https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote). The website will also provide more information if you wish to register using a paper form instead of online.

In order to register to vote, you will need to provide your name, date of birth, nationality, your address and your National Insurance number. If you do not know your National Insurance number, you can get assistance in finding it here: https://www.gov.uk/lost-national-insurance-number  

The deadline to register to vote in the General Election is midnight on Tuesday June 18th 2024.
 

Do I need to register to vote again if I change address?

Yes, you need to register to vote every time you change address.

 

If I registered to vote in the Leeds local elections this spring, do I need to register again?

No, you only need to register again if you have changed address.
 

Can I register to vote at two addresses?

Yes, students are allowed to register to vote at more than one address. However, you may only vote at once location.

Many students split their time between their term-time student address and their home address, so make sure you’re registered at both. Since the General Election is taking place on July 4^th, some students may be living at their home address instead of their student accommodation or term-time address. 
 

Will I need photo ID to vote?

Yes, voters will need to show photo ID before being allowed to vote in the General Election.

You can find a full list of accepted voter IDs in each UK nation via the Electoral Commission here. Accepted voter IDs include: Passport, Driving licence, Blue Badge, PASS card, Voter Authority Certificate and more.  Your photo ID needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.
 

Does my student ID count as voter ID?

No, student ID cards that are issued by Leeds Beckett or any educational institution do not count as valid photo ID in UK elections.

Many students and young people do not have valid ID, so NUS has teamed up with CitizenCard to offer a FREE Voter ID (usually £18) to any student or young person who needs it. You can sign up for your FREE CitizenCard here: https://www.nus.org.uk/citizencard
 

How old do I have to be to vote in the General Election?

You need to be aged 18 or over on polling day (July 4^th) to be able to vote in a General Election.

So, if you were born on or before 4th July 2006, you're eligible to vote in the General Election. If you live in England or Northern Ireland you can register to vote when you are 16 or over, and in Wales and Scotland you can register when you are 14 or over.
 

Can International Students vote in the General Election?

Some international students will be able to vote in the General Election. British, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK are allowed to vote in General Elections. Qualifying Commonwealth countries include India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka, Canada and many more.

Find out if you can vote in the General Election here: Home - Can I Vote?
 

What if I'm away from home on 4th July?

Whether you’re away on holiday at a festival or just want to vote at your term-time address despite being at your home address, you have options! You can apply for either a postal vote or a proxy vote.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday June 19th.

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Wednesday June 26th.