ANYONE wishing to vote in the Bradford district in next month’s general election on Thursday, 4 July is being encouraged to be aware of the key dates and deadlines.

If you are not currently registered to vote the deadline to do so is midnight on Tuesday, June 18. This includes anyone who has moved home and needs to register at their new address. Registration takes just five minutes and can be completed online at (Register to vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)).

If you wish to vote by postal vote and don’t already have a postal voting arrangement in place, the deadline to apply for that option is 5pm on Wednesday, June 19. Applications can be made via www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. Paper applications can be requested by contacting Electoral Services on 01274 431360.

To apply to vote by proxy, visit www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote. Applications for this must be received before the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday, June 26. If you currently have a postal vote and wish to change this to a proxy, the deadline to do so is 5pm on Wednesday, June 19.

This July, and for the first time in a General Election, voters will need to show photo ID to vote at a polling station. To find out which ID you can use in the polling station and how to apply for a free Voter ID, if you do not have ID, can be found at www.gov.uk/voting-photo-id

Some libraries across the district will be able to help voters complete the application form for free voter ID including having a photo taken. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (free voter ID) is 5pm on Wednesday, June 26. Visit https://www.bradford.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/voter-id/ to find out where you can go for help.

All voters are advised to read the information sent through to them carefully when it arrives, especially in relation to new rules in place concerning handing in completed postal votes or votes on behalf of other people. Postal voters are requested wherever possible to send back their completed postal vote pack via Royal Mail as soon as possible.

Dr Lorraine O’Donnell, Acting Returning Officer and Chief Executive of Bradford Council, said: “It is really important that our residents have all the information on how they can have their say in the general election on Thursday, 4 July. Voters also need to be aware that they will need to show photo ID at polling stations, so we urge them to make sure they have the relevant ID now or apply for a free Voter ID Certificate.

“If you’re in doubt about whether you need to register to vote, or have questions about how to apply for a postal or proxy vote, or free ID, you can contact Bradford Council on 01274 431360 or by email on electoralservices@bradford.gov.uk.”