Voters urged to check they're election ready before it's too late

Voters can apply online at Register to Vote. It takes just five minutes.

Voters have a range of options - they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.

• The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 19 June. For more information, visit voting By post. This is also the deadline for applying to change your existing postal voting arrangements, which you can do by emailing elections@fenland.gov.uk
• The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is a week later, 5pm on Wednesday 26 June. For more information, visit: By proxy (on your behalf)

For the first time at a UK general election, voters will need to show photo ID at a polling station. To find out which ID you can use in the polling station, visit our Voter ID webpage.

If you do not have one of the accepted types of ID, you can apply for free Voter Authority Certificate on the Government website or by completing and submitting a paper form to your local authority.

• The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for this election is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June.

A council spokesperson said: "Don't lose your chance to have your say at the general election. If you're in doubt about whether you need to register to vote, or have questions about how to apply for a postal or proxy vote, or free voter ID, you can contact Fenland District Council by phoning 01354 654321 or emailing elections@fenland.gov.uk

Craig Westwood, Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission, said: "It is important that people check they're election ready ahead of upcoming deadlines. All voters must be registered, and some may need to apply for a postal or proxy vote or free ID. Registering to vote is quick and easy, and can be done online.

"Voters will need to show photo ID at polling stations for this general election. Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID can apply for free ID online or by completing a paper form and submitting it to their local council."

Further information for voters

Poll cards

Poll cards are being sent to everyone currently registered to vote in Fenland. Some residents in Whittlesey will receive two poll cards - one for the General Election and one for the by-elections. The by-election poll card is due to arrive by the second week of June.

Voters are being asked to check the details on their poll cards when they arrive to ensure they are correct, and to note the location of their polling station which may have changed. You do not need to take your poll card to the polling station to vote.

Polling stations

Polling stations will be open on Thursday 4 July from 7am to 10pm. Your poll card shows where your polling station is. You can also check where your polling station is using our postcode tool. You do not need to take your poll card to the polling station to vote.

Postal vote handling

Postal voters are advised to read the information sent through to them carefully when it arrives, especially in relation to new rules regarding handing in completed postal votes or votes on behalf of other people. Postal voters are requested wherever possible to send back their completed postal vote pack via Royal Mail as soon as possible to help manage demand. More information is available on our postal voting webpage.

Accessibility 

Everyone should be able to register and cast their vote without facing barriers. A new law, the Elections Act 2022, sets out extra support which we must provide, if you have a disability or accessibility need. This includes bringing another person to the polling station for support. More information on accessibility at polling stations.

If you would like extra help with voting or registering to vote, you can contact our Elections Team on 01354 654321 (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, and Saturdays, 9am to 12noon) or email: elections@fenland.gov.uk

Timeline of key dates for Fenland ahead of 4 July elections:

Keep up-to-date with Fenland District Council via Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and our newsletter The Fenlander Newsletter.

June 2024