Today (Tuesday 4 June) the official notices of election for the General Election on 4 July have been published on Somerset Council’s website General Election 2024 (somerset.gov.uk)

Since the last General Election, new constituency boundaries have come into effect with seven constituencies now wholly or in part in Somerset Council’s administrative area. They are Bridgwater; Frome and East Somerset; Glastonbury and Somerton; Taunton and Wellington; Tiverton and Minehead; Wells and Mendip Hills; and Yeovil.

Voters can check their constituency using this map: Boundary review 2023: Which seats will change in the UK?  (parliament.uk) You can pick a current constituency and compare it with the new boundary

Residents must be registered to vote. It’s quick and easy to register to vote, but, after the deadline of 18 June, it will be too late. All you need to have to hand is your National Insurance number. If you are already registered and received a poll card for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on 2 May, you do not need to take any further action.

It is also the first General Election where people voting in person at a polling station must produce acceptable ID before receiving their ballot paper. Voters should check now to make sure they have the correct ID, such as a passport, older person’s bus pass or photographic driving licence. More details are available on the Electoral Commission’s website.

Those without an acceptable ID can apply for free ID, called the Voter Authority Certificate – the deadline for applications is Wednesday 26 June.

Voters who cannot go to the polling station on Thursday 4 July, can apply for one of the following:

• A postal vote – you can apply online at gov.uk/apply-postal-vote or you can request a paper form to be posted or emailed to you. Completed applications, whether online or paper, must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Wednesday 19 June.
• A proxy vote – a proxy is someone you trust who goes to your polling station and votes on your behalf. The proxy must be 18 or over and must be registered to vote and eligible to vote at parliamentary elections in the UK. You can apply for a proxy vote online at gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote or you can request a paper form to be posted or emailed to you. Completed applications, whether online or paper, must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm Wednesday 26 June.

Key dates:

• 7 June – close of nominations
• 18 June – deadline for voter registration
• 19 June – deadline for postal vote and postal proxy vote applications
• 26 June – deadline to apply for free Voter Authority Certificate
• 26 June – deadline for proxy vote applications
• 4 July – polling day 7am-10pm
• 4-5 July – counting and declarations