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Polling stations open across the UK at 7am on Thursday morning, as millions of Britons are due to cast their vote in the 2024 general election.
While the vast majority of voters still submit their ballot in person on election day – as the Prime Minister did this morning – an increasing number are choosing to express their opinion by voting by post.
The Local Government Association (LGA) said it expects postal voting to increase by 20% since the last general election, when 21% of voters voted by post. More than 1.3 million applications for a postal vote were made between 22 May and 19 June this year. 10 million people This election is expected to be voted by post.
Despite this increased demand, or perhaps because of it, delays blamed on Brexit, printer problems, Royal Mail deliveries and local government staffing shortages have left thousands of voters waiting for their ballot paper just days before the election.
So what if you haven’t been able to send in your mail-in ballot yet? Here’s everything you need to know about how to make sure your vote is counted, including whether you can just bring your mail-in ballot to your polling place.
Can I take my postal ballot to the polls?
Good news: If you weren’t able to vote by mail, you can take your ballot to your local polling place by 10pm on Thursday, July 4th, Election Day.
The deadline is Apply for a postal vote A bill regarding the validity of ballots for the 2024 general election was passed on June 19, with postal voters being advised to return their votes as soon as possible to ensure they are counted.
However, if you are late in receiving your postal ballot due to delivery delays, or for any reason are unable to cast it in time, you can take it in person to your nearest polling station or electoral registration office before the regular voting deadline of 10pm.
according to Election CommissionTo do so, simply fill out a form indicating your name and address, the number of postal ballots you are submitting, and the reason you are submitting your postal ballot.
Also, Acceptable photo ID You and.
If you have invalidated your postal ballot, you can also request a new version. Your local elections office You can still help up until 5pm on Election Day.
Mail-in voters must mark their ballot, complete a Vote by Mail form, and then place both in a designated envelope, which also contains instructions on how to vote.
Where is my polling station?
To submit your vote-by-mail ballot, you first need to know: Which polling station You need to go.
Your polling place will likely be a public building, such as a school or community center, near where you live, but it won’t necessarily be the one closest to you. Your polling place will be listed on the voter card that you receive in the mail.
If you have lost or never received your polling card or it does not have your polling station details written on it, you can check them on the Electoral Commission’s website. Please enter your postcode Find contact information for your local city council.
Polls will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday, July 4, but you can still turn in your mail-in ballot if you get in line before closing time.
How does emergency proxy voting work?
As with voting by post, the deadline to register to vote by proxy (i.e. nominate someone to vote for you if you can’t vote yourself) has now passed.
However, if your employment status changes after the deadline has passed, if you have a disability or medical emergency that prevents you from voting as planned, or if your photo identification is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged after the deadline to apply for a Certificate of Voting Rights has passed, you may apply for an emergency proxy vote.
Emergency proxies can be appointed up until 5pm on Election Day. click here Please enter your postcode to find out more information on who to contact if you need to apply for an emergency proxy vote.