Everything you need to know to cast your vote in the UK Parliament Election

Ahead of the UK Parliamentary Election next Thursday 4 July, here’s everything residents need to know before going to the polls. 

To be able to vote in next week’s election you must already be registered to vote. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on 4 July polling day to vote in person. Details of your polling place can be found on your poll card letter. 

For the first time in Renfrewshire, voters will be required to show photo identification at their polling station to vote for an MP. Accepted forms of ID include passports, driving licences, provisional driving licences, Scottish National Entitlement card, and Young Scot card with a PASS mark. A more detailed list of accepted forms of identification is available on the Renfrewshire Council website.  

Anyone who does not have an accepted form of identification can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate before 5pm on 26 June 2024. Paper applications are also available at the Electoral Registration Office in Paisley.   

The deadline for requests for postal proxy votes and new applications or changes to postal votes has now passed. 

Any eligible voters unable to attend their polling station to vote on the day can still apply for a proxy vote. A proxy vote is when you nominate someone you trust to vote for you. Voters wishing to register for a proxy vote must submit their applications by 5pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024. 

Alan Russell, Returning Officer and Renfrewshire Council Chief Executive said: “Anyone wishing to vote in next week’s election on 4 July must now be registered to vote and I would encourage everyone to check their poll letter for all the information they need to know to cast their vote. 

“The deadline for applying for a postal or proxy postal vote has now passed. Anyone unable to vote in person on the day still has time to apply for a proxy vote, so please ensure you are aware of the deadlines to guarantee everything is in place to allow you to cast your vote.    

“If you’re voting in person, you will need identification for the first time in Renfrewshire when voting for an MP, so please ensure you bring an accepted piece of ID with you on polling day. If you don’t have one, please apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate as early as you can and before the 26 June deadline.”   

Voting will take place on Thursday 4 July 2024 between 7am and 10pm, with the count taking place immediately after the close of polls at the Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley.   

There are two constituencies being contested in Renfrewshire, Paisley and Renfrewshire North and Paisley and Renfrewshire South.   

Following a review by the Boundary Commission, six new polling places in Cardonald are now part of the Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.   

Following the boundary changes voters from Bridge of Weir and Houston are now part of the Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West constituency administered by Inverclyde Council, but there is no change to their polling stations.   

To find out more about how to vote in the upcoming UK General Election and the accepted forms of voter identification please visit the council website at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/general-election-2024.