We are past midnight, so all campaigning is over. The polling stations open at 7:00 (and close at 22:00). So it's time for the voting thread.
It's trickier this year because of voter ID requirements but gov.uk have all the details. However, note this: "You can still use your ID even if it has expired." So an out-of-date passport, for example, will work as long as the name is the same and the photo still looks like you. Don't forget that there are other polling stations rules.
There have been problems in some areas with people getting their postal vote on time but if you haven't got yours and you aren't on your holidays, it's not too late. Details on what to do.
Tactical voting can make a difference in some places and there are a number of sites to help with this. They'll largely be similar but check a couple before committing:
- Get Voting - which also has ID info and a boundary checker
- tactical.vote
- StopTheTories.vote
- Win As One has broader aims to change the voting system
If you want your vote to count you can try SwapMyVote.uk.
Other things you can do:
- Offer lifts to people so they can get out and vote - contact your party of choice
If you have any other resources then throw them in below. If you have any questions then ask away and, hopefully, someone can rummage the answer up for you. edit: If I've cocked up, then let me know.
NB: we aren't endorsing any links, so you will have to use your best judgement on who you trust with your details.
I took my eldest in with me to show how it all works, what the people to, what voting is, why it's important, why it's secret etc.
He looked entirely disinterested. Fair enough, but I was hoping it would take another thirty years before he got to that stage!
Disinterested means impartial. Uninterested means boring.
Thank you :)
FWIW, here in the U.S., we've been taking our kids in to vote with us since they were toddlers. This was deliberate so they would be comfortable with how the process works.
Our oldest, when he turned 18, registered to vote. For his first primary election we had a remote zoom call and walked him through where to get as much objective info about what was on the ballot and make decisions. We've never pressed them towards a particular ideology. He started off looking disinterested too, but now that he's an adult, he's actually looking forward to his first major election.
These things take time. As parents, I feel it's our responsibility to teach them the nuts and bolts of civic literacy.