There will be a General Election on 4th July
PLEDGE TO VOTE
Register to Vote
The deadline to register to vote in the General Election is midnight on Tuesday 18th June 2024.
At MDXSU we're dedicated to ensuring students' voices are heard by politicians and that as many students as possible vote in the election
Have you got questions? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Click the quick links below to view a specific question.
🌏 I'm an international student. Can I vote?
🤷🏽♀️ How do I register to vote?
📦 Do I need to register to vote again if I change my address?
🏘️ Can I register to vote at two addresses?
✈️ What if I'm away from home on 4th July?
🗳️ I’ve not voted before - how does it work?
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
A General Election has been called on Thursday, 4th July.
There are two things students must do to be able to vote in the General Election.
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You must be registered to vote – find more information for students here
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You must have Photo ID* – get FREE Voter ID from CitizenCard using code ‘NUS’ here
I'M AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT. CAN I VOTE?
Click here to find out if you can 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, Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka, Canada and many more.
HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?
Register to vote on the UK Government’s website: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. You can also find information about registering using a paper form on this website.
You will be asked to provide:
- your name,
- your date of birth,
- your nationality,
- your address(es)
- and your National Insurance number.
If you do not know your National Insurance number, you can get assistance in finding it here: www.gov.uk/lost-national-insurance-number
DO I NEED TO REGISTER TO VOTE AGAIN IF I CHANGE MY ADDRESS?
Yes! You need to register to vote every time you change address
CAN I REGISTER TO VOTE AT TWO ADDRESSES?
Yes, students are allowed to register to vote at more than one address.
We know that students often split their time between their term-time address and their home address, so you must be registered at both.
With the General Election taking place on 4th July, it is more likely that students will be living at their home address rather than their term-time address.
If you’re registered to vote in more than one place, it’s important to know you can only vote once in a UK general election. Voting more than once is illegal. Deciding where to vote matters because each area elects its own Member of Parliament (MP) to represent local issues in the government.
Your vote can make a bigger difference in some areas compared to others, especially in places where the election results are usually very close. So, choose the area that matters most to you and where you think your vote will count the most.
WHAT IF I'M AWAY FROM HOME ON 4TH JULY?
You might be on your summer holidays in July, or you might want to vote at your term-time address despite being at home. If this is the case, you can apply for a postal vote or a proxy vote.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 19th June.
The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Wednesday 26th June.
I'VE NOT VOTED BEFORE. HOW DOES IT WORK?
You can vote locally in person (either near your student accommodation, or at home), by post, or by proxy.
HOW TO VOTE:
- Find out which polling station you need to go to. This will be on your polling card (which will be sent to your registered address). You don’t need to take your polling card with you when you vote but it helps!
- When arriving at your polling station (opening times 7am – 10pm) you will need to give your name and address to the staff so that they can check you’re on the electoral register.
- You will then be given a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for and the parties they represent.
- Read the ballot paper carefully as this will tell you how to vote. You will then go into a private booth to cast your vote.
- Once you have marked your vote, fold your paper in half and put it in the ballot box. If you write anything else on your ballot paper your vote may not be counted. It could be counted as a spoiled ballot.
- You’re not allowed to take photos inside the polling station, BUT you can take a celebratory “I’ve just voted” selfie outside and share it with us on your social media!
- If you registered for a postal vote but haven't sent it, you can complete the postal ballot and take it to your local polling station or electoral office before closing on voting day.
WHY SHOULD I VOTE?
Democracy is about people having their say and it is your right to vote and to be heard. People have fought and died for the right to vote for many years, and in many places around the world, they still are. Voting in an election is about deciding who will represent you, and will make decisions that affect you. This is your chance to vote for what you believe in.
