Your Vote Matters, Don't Lose It
Published on 22 May 2024 05:20 PM
Are you registered to vote? Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called a General Election for 4th July 2024. Your vote matters, don't lose it.
Registering to vote
You need to register to vote in elections and referendums. You need to register again if you have changed your name, address or nationality.
If you have access to the internet, you can register to vote online. This usually takes about 5 minutes.
You can also register to vote by post. You can either download the appropriate forms or call Age UK North Tyneside on 0191 280 8484 and we will be able to help you.
Ways of voting
Once you have registered to vote, there are a few ways of voting. You can vote in person at a polling station, by post, or by applying to have someone else vote for you (voting by proxy).
If you would like to vote by post, you can apply for a postal vote online. If you are unable to apply online, you can either download the appropriate forms or call Age UK North Tyneside on 0191 280 8484 and we will be able to help you.
Remember your photo ID
You now need photo ID to vote in both general and local elections. There are many different acceptable forms of ID, including:
- a UK, Northern Ireland or EU photo driving licence
- a UK or EU passport
- a Blue Badge
- an older person’s bus pass
- a disabled person’s bus pass
You can see a full list of accepted ID here.
If you do not have accepted photo ID
If you do not have a type of photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. For help applying, call Age UK North Tyneside on 0191 280 8484.
Support for disabled voters in North Tyneside
Additional support is available for disabled voters for disabled voters in North Tyneside. North Tyneside Council has committed to supporting disabled voters in the following ways:
- In addition to being able to vote by post, disabled voters can register to vote by proxy.
- Every polling station will have an accessible entrance and a wheelchair-accessible polling booth.
- Large print sample ballot papers and tactile voting devices are available to assist voters with visual impairments.
- Someone can help you vote if you need them to. This can be the Presiding Officer at your polling station, a family member, friend or support worker, as long as they are 18 years old or over.
- Polling station staff can give you a tour of the station before you vote so you can familiarise yourself with the station.
More information can be found on the North Tyneside Council website.
We are here to help
Age UK North Tyneside are here to help. For support registering to vote, applying for a postal vote, or applying to vote by proxy, call us on 0191 280 8484 or get in touch online.
Age UK’s blueprint for improving the lives of older people
This General Election really matters for older people. Worn down by the pandemic and cost of living crisis, many are yearning for a more positive future for themselves, their families and generations to come – and are eager to help bring it about.
We are convinced we can do better as a country with and for older people. And whichever party wins the next General Election, the Age UK network stands ready to help.
Download Age UK’s blueprint for improving the lives of older people