Renfrewshire Council

Dear colleagues,

Last week, the UK Government announced a UK general election will take place on Thursday, 4 July. Voting will take place from 7am-10pm, followed by Renfrewshire's vote count at the Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley.

Our dedicated Election Team is working with colleagues from across the council, to prepare for this event, during which voters across Renfrewshire will select two Members of Parliament to represent the constituents of Paisley and Renfrewshire North and Paisley and Renfrewshire South.

As the Returning Officer for Renfrewshire, I want to highlight the essential information you need to vote and have your say in the democratic process.

Key information for voters

• Ensure you are registered to vote
  Double-check your poll letter when it arrives in the coming weeks. If you've never voted before, have moved house, or recently changed your name you will need to register to vote by Tuesday 18 June.

• Get your Voter ID ready
  For the first time in Renfrewshire, in-person voters must present identification when voting for an MP. Please bring an original version of accepted form of ID on polling day—photocopies and digital versions are not accepted.

• Accepted forms of ID include passports, driving licences, provisional driving licences, Scottish National Entitlement card, and Young Scot cards with a PASS mark. If you don't have an accepted form of ID, you should apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm on Wednesday 26 June.

• Arranging a proxy vote
  A proxy vote is when you arrange for someone to vote on your behalf.  You can arrange for someone to vote on your behalf either in person or by post. To arrange a proxy vote you should apply by 5pm on Wednesday 26 June.

• Voting by post
  If you wish to vote by post you should apply for a postal vote as soon as possible and no later than 5pm on Wednesday 19 June. 

• Going to be away on polling day?
  If you are going to be away on polling day you will wish to be aware of the key dates for proxy and postal votes. The earliest postal votes will be sent to applicants will be from Wednesday 19 June.

Please keep an eye on Latest staff news for future updates and visit our public webpage about the UK General Election 2024 for more information about registering to vote, voter ID and the constituencies and electoral boundaries in Renfrewshire.

Thank you

Alan Russell

Published Monday 3 June 2024