The UK is on course for a December general election after Labour announced its conditions to back the move had been met.
Jeremy Corbyn told his shadow cabinet Labour would launch the “most ambitious and radical campaign for real change our country has ever seen” now a no-deal Brexit was “off the table”.
It comes ahead of the Government’s bid to convince MPs to back a poll on December 12.
Ever since a snap general election was first proposed by the Prime Minister in early September, the number of applications to register to vote has surged.
READ MORE: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn set to back early general election
According to government figures, nearly two million people have applied to vote in the past eight weeks - almost double the number for the previous eight weeks.
In preparation for the December election, we've explained everything you need to know about registering to vote:
Who can register?
You’re eligible to register to vote in elections if you’re both:
- aged 16 or over (or 14 or over in Scotland)
- a UK citizen (or an Irish, EU or Commonwealth citizen with a permanent UK address)
How to check if you are already registered
You may already be registered to vote.
After you have registered your name will appear on the electoral register.
You can contact your local Electoral Registration Office to find out if you are already registered to vote.
You can find out your local office and how to contact them here.
How to register to vote
In person/online
You can register online to get your name on the electoral register. You need to provide your name, address and National Insurance number. You need to be on the electoral register to vote in elections and referendums.
If you live abroad you can register to vote if you are a British citizen if you left the UK within the last 15 years and if you were previously registered at an address in England, Scotland or Wales (or, in some cases, you left the UK before your 18th birthday).
You will need to have your passport details ready if you are a British citizen and want to vote in England, Scotland or Wales.
You only need to register once - not for every election. Find out more here.
By post
You can apply for a postal vote here.
You do not need to give a reason for your decision to vote by post.
You will need to fill in a postal application form vote and send it to the electoral registration office.
By proxy
If you’re unable to vote in person you can ask someone to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote.
You can only apply for a proxy vote under certain circumstances, including:
- being away on polling day
- having a medical issue or disability
- not being able to vote in person because of work or military service
Usually, you are required to apply for a postal vote at least six working days before election day in England, Scotland or Wales.
To apply for a proxy vote you must fill in a paper form and send it to your local Electoral Registration Office. Find out more here.
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