By John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter: The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming general election is just days away.
Somerset’s eleven constituencies are already shaping up to be a key theatre of the election campaign. Lib Dem leader Ed Davey has visited the county twice, riding a waterslide and betting a pint of cider, as his party hopes to make gains in the area. Meanwhile a rematch of an old rivalry in Jacob Rees-Mogg’s seat is also being chalked up as one to watch.
But you will not be able to vote on July 4 if you are not registered to vote by Tuesday June 18. If you have voted before, you may not be on the electoral register any more if you have moved house or changed your name or nationality since the last time you voted.
Registering to vote takes about five minutes. You will be asked for your National Insurance number, but can prove your identity another way if you do not have it. You can register to vote here.
You do not have to show ID if you vote by post. The deadline to sign up for a postal vote is just a day after the deadline for registering to vote, with applications needing to be received by 5pm on Wednesday June 19. You can apply for a postal vote online here.
The deadline to sign up for a proxy vote — where someone you trust votes on your behalf — is 5pm on June 26. You can sign up for a proxy vote here.