Anyone wishing to vote in Leeds in next month’s general election is encouraged to be aware of the key dates and information ahead of polling day.
With campaigning now underway ahead of polling day on Thursday 4 July, all those wishing to vote are advised to make sure they know what they must do in order to be able to do so.
The first step in the process is being registered to vote. The deadline to do so is midnight on Tuesday 18 June. This includes anyone who has moved home and needs to register at their new address. Registration takes just five minutes and can be completed online at Register to vote – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
If you wish to vote by postal vote and don’t already have a postal voting arrangement in place, the deadline to apply for that option is 5pm on Wednesday 19 June via www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.
This is also the deadline for applying to change your existing voting arrangements, which you can do by emailing electors@leeds.gov.uk.
To apply to vote by proxy, visit www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote. Applications for this must be received before the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday 26 June.
This will be the first general election held where Voter ID will be required to be shown by all those wishing to vote in person at a polling station on polling day. Guidance on what forms of identification will be accepted and how to apply for a new free Voter ID can be found at www.gov.uk/voting-photo-id. Community hubs and libraries in Leeds will be able to help voters complete the application form including having a photo taken. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (free voter ID) is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June.
Voters are also advised to be aware that due to boundary changes some of the names of parliamentary constituencies for and including areas of Leeds have changed with the constituencies being voted on in the general election being as follows:
Leeds South – (Beeston & Holbeck, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill, Hunslet & Riverside, Middleton Park, part of Temple Newsam ward),
Candidates standing to become MPs in the seven constituencies being counted in Leeds will be published after 4pm on Friday 7 June and South Leeds Life will the deatails of those standing in Leeds South.
Poll cards for everyone currently registered to vote in Leeds will be posted out from Monday 3 June. Voters are being asked to check the details on their poll cards when they arrive to ensure they are correct, and also to note the location of their polling station which may have changed.
Postal poll cards will also be sent to anyone currently registered to vote by post, followed by postal ballot packs which will be issued from Wednesday 19 June.
All voters are advised to read the information sent through to them carefully when it arrives, especially in relation to new rules in place concerning 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.
Acting Returning Officer and chief executive of Leeds City Council Tom Riordan said:
“With the general election campaign underway it is really important people in Leeds know what they need to do and by when in order to exercise their democrat right to vote and have their say.
“Voters who intend to vote in person need to be aware they must be able to show accepted ID at the polling station or they will be turned away, and we ask postal voters to send their completed packs back in good time and for everyone to carefully read the instructions on their polling information.”
For more information on how to take part in the general election visit the Electoral Commission’s website at Home Page | Electoral Commission.
This post is based on a press release issued by Leeds City Council
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