The UK election will take place on 4 July this year. This election will decide who leads the UK for the next 4 years.
Voting is not limited to UK citizens. Make sure to check if you are eligible to vote if you're living and studying in the UK.
We've broken down some must-know info right here about:
- why is it important to vote
- voting eligibility, and
- how to vote
Why is it important to vote?
In general elections, every single vote counts.
Voting will give you the power to decide how the UK, the country where you are currently studying and living in, will be run.
The candidate you help elect will be making major decisions on issues that are important for you, such as education, housing, the cost-of-living crisis, or global warming.
Am I eligible to vote?
To vote in this election you must:
- have registered to vote by 11:59pm on 18 June 2024
- be 18 or over on the day of the election (‘polling day’)
- be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
- be a resident at an address in the UK or living abroad and registered as an overseas voter
- not be legally excluded from voting
Qualifying citizens from Commonwealth countries, and European citizens who moved to the UK prior to Brexit may be eligible to vote.
Make sure to check your eligibility even if you are not a UK citizen!
You can check your eligibility at www.canivote.org.uk or at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote .
What if I’m not eligible to vote?
Anyone who doesn’t meet the above criteria isn’t eligible to vote, but should encourage friends to vote if they are eligible.
How to vote?
There are different ways to vote. You can:
- Vote in person at a polling station - usually in a public building, such as a school or local hall. You can find your nearest polling station on this Electoral Commission webpage.
- Vote by proxy - if you’re unable to vote in person you can ask someone to vote on your behalf.
- Vote by post - you must apply for a postal vote if you want to vote by post.
- Vote from abroad – this will depend on whether you’ll be abroad temporarily or living abroad and where you want to vote.
More information about ways to vote is available on the UK Government Digital Service webpage.
Voting if you have a disability
If you have a disability, your local Electoral Registration Office can tell you about:
- physical access, for example wheelchair ramps and disabled parking spaces
- low-level polling booths
- any specific equipment you need
What to bring on voting day if voting in person?
- You need to show photo ID when voting in the general election. If you do not have a valid form of ID, you can apply for a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’.
- You’ll need to apply by 5pm on 26 June 2024 to get a Voter Authority Certificate for the general election on 4 July 2024.
Information on political party manifestos:
Higher education organisation Wonkhe has created a table summarising what the political parties’ manifestos say about higher education and issues particularly affecting students.
Further information for students is available from the Electoral Commission.