Are you registered to vote in next month's General Election?

The election takes place on Thursday 4 July and poll cards will be delivered to residents from Friday 7 June.

Anyone currently registered on the electoral register and eligible to vote in this election will receive a poll card providing details of their voting preference, either voting at an allocated polling station or voting by post or proxy.

Voter registration deadline looming

Anyone who is not registered or has recently moved house and has not informed electoral services is encouraged to register online on the government's Register to vote webpage by midnight on Tuesday 18 June.

Voter ID requirements

Anyone who wishes to vote at these elections must be registered to vote in County Durham and must also show an acceptable form of photo ID which include passports, driving licences and concessionary travel passes, such as an older person's bus pass. Voters will also be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photograph. Polling cards will contain a full list of accepted voter ID and full details are also available on the government's How to vote webpage.

Applying for a Voter Authority Certificate

Voters who do not have an accepted form of photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate on the government's Apply for photo ID webpage. Residents who need any help applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or who would prefer a paper application form should contact Durham County Council's electoral services team on 03000 261212 or email electoralservices@durham.gov.uk.

All applications for a free Voter Authority Certificate for this election must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, 26 June.

Applying for a postal or proxy vote

Anyone who is listed on the electoral register can request a postal or proxy vote. The new government online portal is the simplest way in which to complete a postal or proxy vote application. Residents will need to provide their national insurance number and upload a sample of their signature when making their application. This information will be used by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to help confirm their identity.

Postal vote applications can be made online on the government's Apply for a postal vote webpage and proxy vote applications can be made online on the government's Apply for a proxy vote webpage.

To request a paper copy of either application form, contact the council's electoral services team on 03000 261212 or email electoralservices@durham.gov.uk.

For these elections the deadline for postal vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday 19 June and for proxy vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June.

Need more help?

Anyone who needs any further assistance can contact the council's electoral services team on 03000 261212 or email  electoralservices@durham.gov.uk.