Get ahead to ensure your General Election vote counts

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A close up photo of a ballot box.
A close up photo of a ballot box

With a General Election now called for July 4, it is important for electors to have everything in place so that they can cast their vote.

In order to vote, you have to be aged over 18 and registered to do so. The deadline for registering is midnight on Tuesday, June 18.

If you received polling cards for the May election then you are already registered and do not need to act, but if you have moved house, turned 18 or changed your name recently it is likely that you do need to register or re-register. This can be done quickly and easily on the Government webpage here with your National Insurance number. If you are unsure whether you are registered, it is best to check now.

Polling stations will be open on July 4 between 7am and 10pm. 

In order to vote at a polling station, you will need to present one type of photo ID from the list of approved types. These include a valid photo driver’s licence, passport, older person’s bus pass and blue badge. The full list can be found on the Voter ID webpage and more detail can be found at the Electoral Commission's webpage on Voter ID.

People who don’t have any of the authorised photo IDs, or where the photo is no longer a good likeness, can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate specifically for use at elections. The deadline for this is 5pm on Wednesday, June 26. 

Voters can also choose to vote by post. If you wish to vote by post, you can apply online at the Government webpage here.

To apply for a new postal or postal proxy vote or to cancel or amend an existing postal vote, the deadline is 5pm on Wednesday, June 19.

Proxy voting arrangements are also an option, where someone is authorised to vote at a polling station, on your behalf.

You can apply online for some forms of proxy vote, including for a specific election at the Government's webpage on proxy voting here. The deadline to apply for a new proxy vote is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June, or 5pm on June 19 to amend or cancel an existing one.

There are circumstances in which emergency proxy votes can be arranged up to 5pm on polling day. 

For detail on all arrangements and the relevant process see: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/elections

British citizens living abroad can register as an overseas voter. This can be done at the Government's Register to vote webpage. Following this, an application for a postal or proxy vote, needs to be made (see above).

Changes that take effect at this election mean that some parts of North Kesteven fall into a different constituency than before. 
Most of the District is covered by the Sleaford and North Hykeham Constituency; with Bracebridge Heath, Skellingthorpe and Waddington Parish Council - East Ward falling within the Lincoln Constituency; and Aswarby and Swarby, Aunsby and Dembleby, Burton Pedwardine and Burton Gorse, Culverthorpe and Kelby, Great Hale, Heckington, Helpringham, Little Hale, Newton and Haceby, Osbournby, Scredington, Silk Willoughby, Swaton, Threekingham, Walcot and Wilsford all within the Grantham and Bourne Constituency.

Since the last General Election there have been Polling Station changes particularly in Sleaford and North Hykeham.  Please refer to your poll card when it arrives for more information.

The identity of candidates standing in each area will be published on the Council website after 4pm on Friday, June 4.

For the latest news on North Kesteven District Council visit our council news pages

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