How to vote in the general election: Where is my nearest polling station?
Everything you need to know ahead of pre-Christmas snap vote
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Your support makes all the difference.After a campaign beset by division and controversy, the general election is finally upon us.
Voters across the UK will be heading to the ballot box on Thursday in what is the third general election in less than five years.
Here is everything you need to know about how to vote tomorrow.
Where is my nearest polling station?
Voters receive a polling card in the post before the election telling you where to vote.
Alternatively, you can find the address by entering your postcode on the Electoral Commission website.
The polling station is likely to be in a public building, such as a school or town hall, and will be situated near where you live.
You can only vote at the location stated on your card – so don’t try to turn up elsewhere on 12 December.
If you haven’t received a polling card, get in touch with your Electoral Registration Office.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote or a proxy vote has passed.
What time do polling stations open and close?
Polling stations will open at 7am and close at 10pm. This is the same across the UK, regardless of your location.
The Electoral Commission says that any eligible voters who are in a queue at their polling station at 10pm for the purposes of voting must still be allowed to vote.
Counting of votes will begin when the polls close.
Do I need my polling card to vote?
The polling card is for your information only. You do not need to take it to the polling station and you can still vote if you have lost it.
Do I need to take ID with me?
If you live in England, Wales or Scotland, you do not need to bring ID with you to vote.
But if you live in Northern Ireland you will need to bring one of the following forms of photo ID:
- UK or Irish passport
- UK, Irish or EEA driving licence
- Translink Senior Smartpass
- Translink 60+ Smartpass
- Translink War Disabled Smartpass
- Translink Blind Person’s Smartpass
- An Electoral Identity Card
What do I need to do at the polling station?
When you arrive at the polling station, a member of staff will ask for your name and address.
They will hand you a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for.
You then mark an ‘X’ next to your selected candidate, fold the paper and put it in the ballot box.
Can I apply for an emergency proxy vote?
If you are disabled, sick or unexpectedly away for work at late notice you can apply to vote for emergency proxy up until 5pm on polling day.
For more information on how to register for your emergency vote, follow this form.
What time will the results be announced?
An exit poll will be announced around 10pm after the polling stations close.
However the final result will not be announced until all constituencies have declared a winner. This is likely to take place by Friday morning.
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