THE general election is just around the corner, which means voting application deadlines are even closer than they may seem.
Here is everything you need to know about how you can vote – including if you live outside the UK.
How can you vote in the 2019 General Election?
First of all you can check to see if you are registered to vote with your local authority.
In the UK, there is three ways to vote; in person, by post or by proxy.
The easiest way to find out if you’re already registered is to check with your local authority. If youre not sure which one you fall undersimply type in your postcode at Your Vote Matters.
Can I vote if I live outside the UK?
If you live outside the UK but hold a British passport then you can still vote in the General Election.
But this means it isimpossible to be able to vote in person.
However, you can vote by post or by proxy(someone to vote on your behalf) although the application date for both has now passed.
The postal vote application deadline isat5pm on Tuesday November 26.
If you wanted to vote byproxy, you had to have applied by 5pm on Thursday on November 21.
How do you vote by post?
You can choose whether you want a postal vote for a single election or permanently.
Once registered to vote by post, near the time of an election or referendum you will be send a ballot paper which you complete and then send back.
Though you are not voting in a booth – marking your vote should be done in secret and you should seal the envelope yourself.
How do you vote by proxy?
Voting by proxy means getting someone to vote on your behalf.
However, you must have a valid reason as to why someone needs to vote for you.
Reasons includebeing away, having a disability or serving overseas as a member of the armed forces.
You can ask anyone to act as your proxy – as long as theyre registered to vote and theyre allowed to vote in the same type of election.
You can be a proxy for two people at the same election, or more if the extra people are close relatives.
Completed forms have to be sent to your local Electoral Registration Office.
