A UK Parliamentary General Election will be held on Thursday 4 July 2024.
The Returning Officer for this Election is Craig Hatton, the council's Chief Executive. He has a small team to deal with the administration and organisation of the poll, including the staffing of polling stations. This team also deals with the organisation of the verification and counting of the votes.
Supporting resources are available from the Electoral Commission's website. This includes nomination forms and forms for the appointment of agents.
The Election Team can accept nomination papers from Monday 3 June until Friday 7 June, between 10am and 4pm. This will be at the Election Office, Cunninghame House, Irvine, KA12 8EE. If you need specific access arrangements to attend, contact the Election Office on 01294 324729.
To ensure an appropriate member of staff is on hand, it would be helpful if Candidates or Election Agents could contact the office:
to arrange a convenient date and time for checking and lodging the nomination papers.
Completed papers must be lodged by 4pm on Friday 7 June 2024.
Key dates
Key dates for the Election, particularly closing dates for registration, postal and proxy applications are detailed below:
Election key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Publication of Note of Election |
Friday 31 May 2024 |
| Delivery of nomination papers |
Monday 3 June to Friday 7 June 2024, between 10am and 4pm |
| Deadline for withdrawals of nomination |
Friday 7 June 2024, 4pm |
| Deadline for the notification of appointment of election agents |
Friday 7 June 2024, 4pm |
| Publication of Notice of Poll, including situation of polling stations |
As soon as practicable after 4pm on Friday 7 June 2024 |
| Dispatch of poll cards to electors |
Tuesday 11 June 2024 |
| Deadline for receiving applications for registration |
Tuesday 18 June, midnight |
| Deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes |
Wednesday 19 June 2024, 5pm |
| Dispatch of postal ballot packs |
Wednesday 19 June 2024 |
| Final dispatch of poll cards |
Thursday 20 June 2024 |
| Final dispatch of postal ballot packs |
Wednesday 26 June 2024 |
| Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) |
Wednesday 26 June 2024, 5pm |
| Deadline for receiving applications for Voter Authority Certificates |
Wednesday 26 June 2024 |
| Deadline for notification of appointment of polling and counting agents |
Thursday 27 June 2024 |
| Polling Day |
Thursday 4 July 2024, 7am to 10pm |
| Last time that electors can apply for a replacement for a lost or spoilt postal vote |
Thursday 4 July 2024, 5pm |
| Deadline for emergency proxy applications |
Thursday 4 July 2024, 5pm |
| Last time to alter the register due to clerical error or court appeal |
Thursday 4 July 2024, 9pm |
| Verification and count |
Thursday 4 July 2024, 10pm |
| Latest date for candidates to submit their return and agent declaration |
Friday 9 August 2024 |
Formal notices
The formal Election notices will be displayed here throughout the election process:
Poll card letters
Instead of a Poll Card, you will receive a Poll Card Letter. The first issue of Poll Card letters is due on Tuesday 11 June 2024. Following poll card letters will be issued on Thursday 20 June 2024.
Electors are encouraged to check their poll card letter carefully. There may have been a change to your Polling Place since the last election. For this UK Parliamentary General Election you will need to provide photographic voter ID to vote. You cannot vote without it.
The Electoral Commission has a list of accepted photo IDs.
If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate or download a paper application to return by post. Application forms are also available from the Electoral Registration Office, Ayr. They should be returned directly to the Electoral Registration Office.
More information on voter ID can be found on the Electoral Commission's website.
Applications to Register to Vote
If you live in the North Ayrshire and Arran Constituency and want to vote in this Election, you need to be registered to vote.
The last day you can register to vote in this Election is Tuesday 18 June 2024.
You can register to vote online. If you would prefer to register by post, contact the Electoral Registration Officer for Ayrshire. A paper form will be posted out to you.
If aged 18 or over by Thursday 4 July 2024, you will be able to vote in this Election but you must be registered.
Applications to vote by Post or Proxy
If you are unable to go to your polling place in person you may wish to apply for a postal or proxy vote. Application forms are available from the Electoral Registration Officer for Ayrshire. More information on applying is available on the Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board website.
Only electors who are (or will be) registered individually are entitled to apply to vote by post or proxy. Further information for voters is found on the Electoral Commission's website.
Contact details for the Electoral Registration Officer for Ayrshire:
The deadline for the new postal vote and postal proxy applications is 5pm on Wednesday 19 June 2024.
The deadline for new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxy) is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024.
All postal vote and proxy application forms must be returned to the address of the Electoral Registration Officer for Ayrshire and not North Ayrshire Council.
The first issue of ballot papers to postal voters will take place on Wednesday 19 June 2024. New postal vote applications received by 5pm on Wednesday 19 June 2024 will be sent shortly after this date.
The Count
The verification and counting of votes will take place in St Matthews Academy, Jack's Road, Saltcoats, KA21 5NT. This will take place at 10pm prompt on Thursday 4 July 2024.
Admission to the count will be strictly by accredited admission pass only.
Results
Results from the Election will be published on the council's website following the Count. The previous election results are available for you to view.
Further information
For more information on registering to vote, postal and proxy voting, please contact the Electoral Registration Office:
For all other enquiries, including becoming a candidate, please contact our council's Election Office: