Central Bedfordshire Council news and press releases

Be ‘vote ready’ for polling day

Monday, 3 June 2024

We're encouraging residents who have not yet registered to vote to act quickly.

If you're not already registered, register to vote.

You only need to register again if you’ve changed address, name or nationality since voting in the last election.

To vote in the general election on Thursday 4 July your name must appear in the register of electors, be one of the eligible nationalities and be aged 18 or over on polling day. The deadline to submit application forms to register to vote is midnight on 18 June 2024.

Poll cards will be delivered to addresses across Central Bedfordshire from the week commencing 3 June 2024 with postal votes sent out from 11 June 2024. If you do not receive a poll card, you may not be on the electoral register for the address where you live. Anyone who doesn't receive a named poll card should register to vote.

A voter showing their passport at a polling station.

You must produce a valid form of photographic ID when voting at the polling station. A free voter authority certificate (VAC) can be used if this is unavailable. These are available online or by post and require a recent digital photograph and National Insurance number. Images on a phone will not be accepted.

Marcel Coiffait, Electoral Registration Officer and Chief Executive for Central Bedfordshire Council, said:

Anyone not yet registered to vote should do so as soon as possible. It only takes a few minutes to complete the form online, and it will enable residents to have their say on issues that affect their lives. As the general election is taking place when people may be on their summer holiday, applying for a postal vote will mean you don’t lose your vote.

If you haven't received your poll card by 14 June, you can contact us by emailing electoral.registration@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or calling 0300 300 8008.

Find out more about the 2024 General Election.