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When is the UK general election and who can vote? When is the UK general election and how do postal votes work?
(about 13 hours later)
Millions of UK voters will go to the polls on 4 July. Millions of UK voters will go to the polls on Thursday, 4 July, to elect the 650 MPs who sit in the House of Commons.
It is too late to register to vote in the general election, or to apply for a postal or proxy vote. Some councils have made special arrangements to issue replacement postal-vote packs, after reported delays in Scotland and parts of southern England.
However, voters in England, Scotland and Wales can apply for an emergency proxy vote if they discover they can no longer vote in person. What if my postal vote has not arrived?
If you have not received your postal vote, your local council's returning officer, external can issue a replacement voting pack up until 17:00 on polling day.
You should contact its electoral-services team, external as soon as possible.
You cannot collect a replacement voting pack from your local polling station on the day.
Councils in Edinburgh and Fife have created emergency voting booths for people who have not received their postal votes and will be on holiday on 4 July.
Some other councils opened over the weekend to let residents collect replacement voting packs.
SNP 'massively concerned' about postal vote delays
SNP 'massively concerned' about postal vote delays
What are Scottish councils doing to deal with postal vote delays?
What are Scottish councils doing to deal with postal vote delays?
In certain circumstances, voters in England, Scotland and Wales can nominate an emergency proxy, external to vote on their behalf - but the Electoral Commission, external, which manages elections in the UK, has confirmed the non-arrival of a postal vote is not one of them.
How can I return a completed postal vote?
Your completed postal vote must be with your local council by 22:00 on polling day.
If you have received your postal vote but are worried there is too little time to mail it back before the deadline, you can take your completed postal pack to your polling station on 4 July before it closes at 22:00.
Alternatively, you can take the completed form to your council's electoral-services team during office hours any day this week before 17:00 on Thursday.
It must be returned to the address on your postal-voting pack - which may not be the main council building nearest to you.
You do not need ID but you must sign a form in person when you drop off a postal vote at either a polling station or your council offices.
You can also drop off up to five additional completed postal-vote packs on behalf of friends, family or neighbours.
Political candidates and party campaigners are only allowed to handle postal votes for close family members or someone for whom they regularly care.
What is a general election and how many MPs are there?What is a general election and how many MPs are there?
The general election is to elect Members of Parliament - or MPs - to the House of Commons.The general election is to elect Members of Parliament - or MPs - to the House of Commons.
The UK is divided into 650 areas, called constituencies, each of which elects one MP to represent local residents.The UK is divided into 650 areas, called constituencies, each of which elects one MP to represent local residents.
Most candidates represent a political party, but some are independent.Most candidates represent a political party, but some are independent.
Follow the latest campaign developmentsFollow the latest campaign developments
Follow the latest campaign developmentsFollow the latest campaign developments
Your Voice, Your Vote: What issues matter to you?Your Voice, Your Vote: What issues matter to you?
Your Voice, Your Vote: What issues matter to you?Your Voice, Your Vote: What issues matter to you?
Who can vote and how do I register?Who can vote and how do I register?
Anyone on the electoral register who is 18 or over on polling day can vote if they are a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland citizen with a UK address.Anyone on the electoral register who is 18 or over on polling day can vote if they are a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland citizen with a UK address.
All UK citizens who live abroad can register to vote in the constituency where they were previously resident or on the electoral roll.All UK citizens who live abroad can register to vote in the constituency where they were previously resident or on the electoral roll.
Students can be registered at both their home and term-time addresses,, external but must only vote in one place.Students can be registered at both their home and term-time addresses,, external but must only vote in one place.
Those who cannot vote in general elections, external include prisoners serving a sentence in jail, and peers from the House of Lords.Those who cannot vote in general elections, external include prisoners serving a sentence in jail, and peers from the House of Lords.
The deadline to register to vote in the general election has passed.The deadline to register to vote in the general election has passed.
How does voting work?How does voting work?
In a general election, each person has one vote.In a general election, each person has one vote.
On election day, registered voters in each constituency vote for their preferred candidate in their local polling station, which is open between 07:00 and 22:00. Some people vote by post in advance.On election day, registered voters in each constituency vote for their preferred candidate in their local polling station, which is open between 07:00 and 22:00. Some people vote by post in advance.
Under a system called "first past the post", the candidate with the most votes becomes the MP for that area.Under a system called "first past the post", the candidate with the most votes becomes the MP for that area.
First-time voter? Here is what you need to know about what to doFirst-time voter? Here is what you need to know about what to do
First-time voter? Here is what you need to know about what to doFirst-time voter? Here is what you need to know about what to do
Election poll tracker: How do the parties compare?Election poll tracker: How do the parties compare?
Election poll tracker: How do the parties compare?Election poll tracker: How do the parties compare?
Who should I vote for and what are the parties promising?Who should I vote for and what are the parties promising?
Who should I vote for and what are the parties promising?Who should I vote for and what are the parties promising?
What constituency am I in?What constituency am I in?
This election will use new constituency boundaries, redrawn to reflect population changes and to even out voter numbers.This election will use new constituency boundaries, redrawn to reflect population changes and to even out voter numbers.
Enter your postcode in our tool to find out which constituency you are in, who you can vote for and where you can vote.Enter your postcode in our tool to find out which constituency you are in, who you can vote for and where you can vote.
If you want to browse through the constituencies you can use our A-Z page.If you want to browse through the constituencies you can use our A-Z page.
BBC experts analyse the party manifestosBBC experts analyse the party manifestos
Conservatives' key policiesConservatives' key policies
Conservatives' key policiesConservatives' key policies
Labour's key policiesLabour's key policies
Labour's key policiesLabour's key policies
Lib Dems' key policiesLib Dems' key policies
Lib Dems' key policiesLib Dems' key policies
Green party's key policiesGreen party's key policies
Green party's key policiesGreen party's key policies
Reform's key policiesReform's key policies
Reform's key policiesReform's key policies
Plaid Cymru's key policiesPlaid Cymru's key policies
Plaid Cymru's key policiesPlaid Cymru's key policies
SNP's key policiesSNP's key policies
SNP's key policiesSNP's key policies
How do postal votes work?
If you cannot attend your polling station in person on election day - and you had already registered - you could have applied for a postal vote, but the deadline has now passed.
For your postal vote to count, you must return your voting pack to the elections team at your local council by 22:00 BST on polling day.
Alternatively, you can take it to your polling station on election day before it closes at 22:00.
How do proxy votes work and what is the deadline?How do proxy votes work and what is the deadline?
You can also nominate someone else, external to vote on your behalf. You and your proxy must both be registered to vote. With a proxy vote you nominate someone else, external to vote on your behalf. You and your proxy must both be registered to vote.
The deadline to apply for a proxy vote for the general election has now passed.The deadline to apply for a proxy vote for the general election has now passed.
You can request an emergency proxy vote, external after this deadline if last-minute work commitments or a medical emergency mean you can no longer vote in person. People whose postal votes have not arrived are not eligible for an emergency proxy vote, the Electoral Commission has told the BBC. You can request an emergency proxy vote, external after this deadline if last-minute work commitments or a medical emergency mean you can no longer vote in person.
You can apply for this up to 17:00 on polling day, Thursday 4 July in England, Scotland and Wales, or if you are overseas.You can apply for this up to 17:00 on polling day, Thursday 4 July in England, Scotland and Wales, or if you are overseas.
People whose postal votes have not arrived are not eligible for an emergency proxy vote.
Live: Follow the latest news about the UK general election  Live: Follow the latest news about the UK general election  
Live: Follow the latest news about the UK general election  Live: Follow the latest news about the UK general election  
Poll tracker: How do parties compare?  Poll tracker: How do parties compare?  
Poll tracker: How do parties compare?  Poll tracker: How do parties compare?  
Compare all the election manifestos and policies  Compare all the election manifestos and policies  
Compare all the election manifestos and policies  Compare all the election manifestos and policies  
What photo ID will you need to vote?  What photo ID will you need to vote?  
What photo ID will you need to vote?  What photo ID will you need to vote?  
How the BBC reports polling dayHow the BBC reports polling day
How the BBC reports polling dayHow the BBC reports polling day
What photo ID do I need to vote at the general election?What photo ID do I need to vote at the general election?
Since May 2023 voters in England, Scotland and Wales have had to show a valid form of photo ID at polling stations to vote in person at a general election.Since May 2023 voters in England, Scotland and Wales have had to show a valid form of photo ID at polling stations to vote in person at a general election.
You do not need your polling card.You do not need your polling card.
There are 22 acceptable forms of ID,, external including:There are 22 acceptable forms of ID,, external including:
passportspassports
passportspassports
driving licencesdriving licences
driving licencesdriving licences
Older or Disabled Person's bus passesOlder or Disabled Person's bus passes
Older or Disabled Person's bus passesOlder or Disabled Person's bus passes
Oyster 60+ cardsOyster 60+ cards
Oyster 60+ cardsOyster 60+ cards
You can use out-of-date photo ID as long as you look the same.You can use out-of-date photo ID as long as you look the same.
Alternatively, anyone registered to vote without the correct ID - or who no longer looks like their photo - can apply for a free document called a voter authority certificate., externalAlternatively, anyone registered to vote without the correct ID - or who no longer looks like their photo - can apply for a free document called a voter authority certificate., external
The deadline to apply for a voter authority certificate to use in the general election has passed.The deadline to apply for a voter authority certificate to use in the general election has passed.
However, if you realise you do not have valid ID, voters in England, Scotland and Wales can apply for an emergency proxy vote, external instead up until 17:00 on polling day. However, if you realise your ID has been lost or stolen after the deadline, voters in England, Scotland and Wales can apply for an emergency proxy vote, external instead up until 17:00 on polling day.
You and your proxy must both be registered to vote.You and your proxy must both be registered to vote.
Voters in Northern Ireland have had to show photo ID since 2003. There are nine acceptable forms of ID, external including:Voters in Northern Ireland have had to show photo ID since 2003. There are nine acceptable forms of ID, external including:
passportspassports
passportspassports
driving licencesdriving licences
driving licencesdriving licences
senior travel passessenior travel passes
senior travel passessenior travel passes
war disablement passeswar disablement passes
war disablement passeswar disablement passes
Voters in Northern Ireland without correct ID can apply for an electoral identity card, external.The deadline to get one to use in this election has passed. Voters in Northern Ireland without correct ID can apply for an electoral identity card, external. The deadline to get one to use in this election has passed.
What photo ID will you need to vote in the general election?What photo ID will you need to vote in the general election?
What photo ID will you need to vote in the general election?What photo ID will you need to vote in the general election?
Can I take children or pets to a polling station?Can I take children or pets to a polling station?
Can I take children or pets to a polling station?Can I take children or pets to a polling station?
What happens to Parliament and MPs before the election?What happens to Parliament and MPs before the election?
Parliament was dissolved - the official term for closing it ahead of an election, external - on Thursday 30 May.Parliament was dissolved - the official term for closing it ahead of an election, external - on Thursday 30 May.
Dissolving Parliament means MPs lose their status, and those who want to return have to campaign for re-election.Dissolving Parliament means MPs lose their status, and those who want to return have to campaign for re-election.
Government also enters a pre-election period - previously known as "purdah" - which restricts ministerial and departmental activity during the campaign.Government also enters a pre-election period - previously known as "purdah" - which restricts ministerial and departmental activity during the campaign.
How to watch the TV election debates
How to watch the TV election debates
Listen: ElectioncastListen: Electioncast
Listen: ElectioncastListen: Electioncast
Listen: Understand the UK electionListen: Understand the UK election
Listen: Understand the UK electionListen: Understand the UK election
Sign up for the Election Essential newsletterSign up for the Election Essential newsletter
Sign up for the Election Essential newsletterSign up for the Election Essential newsletter
What happens after the election results are announced?What happens after the election results are announced?
After the votes have been counted, the King asks the leader of the party with the most MPs to become prime minister and to form a government.After the votes have been counted, the King asks the leader of the party with the most MPs to become prime minister and to form a government.
The leader of the party with the second highest number of MPs becomes the leader of the opposition.The leader of the party with the second highest number of MPs becomes the leader of the opposition.
If no party ends up with a majority of MPs - meaning it cannot pass legislation with just its own MPs - the result is a hung Parliament.If no party ends up with a majority of MPs - meaning it cannot pass legislation with just its own MPs - the result is a hung Parliament.
At this point, the largest party might decide to form a coalition government with another party or operate as a minority government, relying on votes from other parties to pass any laws.At this point, the largest party might decide to form a coalition government with another party or operate as a minority government, relying on votes from other parties to pass any laws.
The new Parliament will meet on 9 July, when it will elect a Speaker and swear in members.The new Parliament will meet on 9 July, when it will elect a Speaker and swear in members.
This will be followed by the State Opening of Parliament and the King's Speech, when the government outlines its priorities for the months ahead, on 17 July.This will be followed by the State Opening of Parliament and the King's Speech, when the government outlines its priorities for the months ahead, on 17 July.
What does the prime minister do?What does the prime minister do?
What does the prime minister do?What does the prime minister do?
How often are general elections held?How often are general elections held?
The latest a Parliament can be dissolved for a general election is on the fifth anniversary of the day it first met.The latest a Parliament can be dissolved for a general election is on the fifth anniversary of the day it first met.
For the Parliament which has just been dissolved, that date was 17 December 2024.For the Parliament which has just been dissolved, that date was 17 December 2024.
However, 25 working days are then allowed to prepare for the election.However, 25 working days are then allowed to prepare for the election.
So the next election had to be held by 28 January 2025.So the next election had to be held by 28 January 2025.
The prime minister can call the election at a time of their choosing, within the five-year period.The prime minister can call the election at a time of their choosing, within the five-year period.
Mr Sunak became prime minister on 25 October 2022 when he succeeded Liz Truss, who took over from Boris Johnson.Mr Sunak became prime minister on 25 October 2022 when he succeeded Liz Truss, who took over from Boris Johnson.
What questions do you have about the general election?What questions do you have about the general election?
In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.
Use this form to ask your question:Use this form to ask your question:
If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or send them via email to YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk, external. Please include your name, age and location with any question you send in.If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or send them via email to YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk, external. Please include your name, age and location with any question you send in.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
UK governmentUK government
UK ParliamentUK Parliament
General election 2024General election 2024