Preparations under way for UK Parliamentary General Election
Posted on 30 May 2024
Preparations are already underway to ensure the UK Parliamentary General Election on Thursday, July 4, goes as smoothly as possible in North Ayrshire.
Although the General Election has been called at short notice, North Ayrshire’s Returning Officer Craig Hatton says arrangements are already well underway to ensure an efficient democratic vote.
Mr Hatton said: “With our election staff recently delivering the ward 6 Kilwinning by-election successfully, we are well placed to deal with the challenge of holding of the UK Parliamentary Election on July 4.
“I would like to take this opportunity to remind those who are not currently registered to vote, that they still have time to join the Electoral Register, allowing them to participate in the UK Parliamentary General Election.
“No one should miss out on their right to be part of the democratic process - simply go to www.gov.uk/registertovote where registration takes about five minutes.”
If you have previously registered, then it is likely that you will be eligible to vote in the UK Parliamentary election. However, if you have changed address or other details have changed, you are advised to check your registration. The deadline to register is 12 working days before election day which is June 18.
Voters aged 16 or 17 on July 4 should be aware that while they are eligible to vote in the Council and Scottish Parliamentary Elections, they will not be able to vote in the UK Parliamentary Election as the minimum voting age is 18.
In addition, the UK Parliamentary Election now also requires voters to provide a form of photo identification, such as a passport or photocard driving licence when voting. A list of accepted forms of photo ID is available here.
If you do not have an accepted form of photo ID you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate or you can download a paper application so that you can apply by post. Paper forms can also be obtained from the Electoral Registration Office, Ayr, and should be returned to the Electoral Registration Office by Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
The Notice of Election for the UK Parliamentary General Election will be published on Friday May 31, and prospective parliamentary candidates will then put their names forward before the nomination deadline on Friday, June 7.
Polls will open at 7am on Thursday, July 4, for the UK Parliamentary Election, with counting getting under way shortly after polling places close at 10pm.
In North Ayrshire, voters will cast their ballot in one of two constituencies.
Voters in Largs, Fairlie, West Kilbride, Ardrossan, Kilbirnie, Beith, Dalry, Saltcoats, Stevenston and parts of Kilwinning, as well as the islands of Cumbrae and Arran will choose their Member of Parliament for the North Ayrshire and Arran constituency.
Irvine and parts of Kilwinning are part of the Central Ayrshire constituency alongside areas such as Prestwick, Troon, Annbank, Tarbolton, Symington and Dundonald.
All registered voters will shortly be receiving their poll cards which will highlight how and where to vote.