Theresa May has called a snap general election on June 8 amid claims that divisions at Westminster risked hampering the Brexit negotiations.
Downing Street has repeatedly denied Mrs May would seek a general election before the scheduled 2020 poll – but today’s shock announcement means Brits will take to the polls in just seven weeks.
It is important to have your say, so how can you check whether you are registered to vote in the General Election?
The easiest way is to check with your local authority – if you’re not sure which one you fall under simply type in your postcode at aboutmyvote.co.uk.
It’s not currently possible to check your registration online so you’ll have to use the contact details on there to get in touch with the council.
If you discover that you’re not registered then you can sign up on the Government website – where you’ll be asked to provide your name, date of birth, current address, past address if you have lived somewhere else in the last 12 months, and your National Insurance number.
If you are a British citizen living abroad you will also need your passport.
This process takes about five to 10 minutes, otherwise you can also register by post by downloading the form from the website or call your local election office and they’ll post one out.
A general election will take place on the 8th June.
The only details that appear on the register are your name, address and a marker that determines which elections you can vote in.
For those who want to register anonymously for safety reasons you will be added as a code but you need to provide documentary evidence of a court order or attestation to support your application.
If you have moved house since you last registered to vote you will need to re-register under your new address.
It is not possible to remove yourself from the electoral register at your address unless you move.
When you re-register to your new address, your new local authority will ensure you are removed from the electoral register at your previous address.
You can remove yourself from the open register – the register that is available for general sale – at any time by contacting your local electoral registration office.
In Scotland, details of 14 and 15-year-olds will not be included in the open register.
It is possible to be registered to vote at two different addresses, for example students, however it is an offence to vote twice in the same election.
If you already have a polling card come through the door then you’re already all set up and ready to vote.
You don’t actually need to take this with you if you are already on the electoral register, just show up and cast your vote.
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