By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Nottinghamshire voters have slightly less than four weeks to register to vote in the UK’s General Election.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the snap election for Thursday, July 4 after months of speculation.
Many Nottinghamshire seats will be key targets for Keir Starmer’s Labour if they hope to retake Downing Street.
The Prime Minister’s party will be hoping to defend those constituencies, while smaller parties and independents on all parts of the political spectrum will be looking to make a breakthrough.
Conservatives currently control seven seats in the county, with Labour holding the three seats within Nottingham city, and Ashfield MP Lee Anderson having defected to the Reform UK party.
None of the sitting Nottinghamshire MPs have announced plans to stand down instead of seeking re-election.
Parties are well underway in choosing challengers to stand across the county, and candidates have until Friday, June 7 – just over two weeks – to submit their forms.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service will cover the full list of candidates once they have declared.
What do I need to do before polling day?
Polls will be open from 7am to 10pm on July 4, although registered voters can also send in their votes by post or nominate a proxy to go in their place.
You can only vote if your name is on the Register of Electors. You may need to update this if you have never voted before, moved house or changed your name since the last election.
This can be done online before 11.59pm on Tuesday, June 18.
People aged under 18 can register as long as they turn 18 by polling day.
Voters will be asked to show photographic ID at polling stations, such as a passport, driving license, blue badge or an Older Person’s Bus Pass.
If you don’t have this, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm on Wednesday, June 26.
Some people choose to vote by post before election day, whether due to health reasons, disabilities or other commitments.
You can apply for a postal vote online or by filling in an application form by Wednesday, June 19 at 5pm.
You can also designate someone as a proxy to vote on your behalf. Online applications will need to be made by Wednesday, June 26, and your proxy will still need to bring ID.
