Countdown to general election – everything you need to know

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The countdown to the general election in Luton on Thursday 4 July is underway. Residents will go to the polls to elect a Member of Parliament for the Luton North and Luton South and South Bedfordshire constituencies.

Luton residents 18 years and older are reminded that they must register before Tuesday 18 June 2024 in order to be able to vote. The process is quick and simple.

To vote in this election you must be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen. EU citizens living in the UK are not entitled to vote in Parliamentary elections.

For those who wish to vote by post rather than at the polling stations the deadline to apply is Wednesday 19 June 2024 at 5pm. You can apply here.

For those returning postal votes by hand (excluding those returned via Royal Mail), there are new rules:

  • If you hand deliver your postal vote, for example to a polling station or the Town Hall, you need to complete a ‘Postal Vote Return Form’ (available from the Town Hall and polling stations).
  • You may not hand deliver more than five postal votes for other electors (excluding your own).
  • If you are a political campaigner, you can only hand in your own postal vote, and those of close relatives.
  • Postal votes that are hand delivered without a completed ‘Postal Vote Return Form’ will not be counted.

The deadline for proxy vote application deadlines is Wednesday 26 June 2024 at 5pm.

Robin Porter, Returning Officer for Luton, said: “The General Election gives all eligible residents the opportunity to have their say on the national and local issues that matter to them. The MPs who are elected will represent you in parliament so it’s important that you have your say.

“It only takes five minutes to complete the simple-step online form, so please make sure you are registered to vote so you can play your part in democracy.”

Full list of Luton North candidates

Full list of Luton South and South Bedfordshire candidates