General Election 2024: How to find your polling station, driving on election day, and essential voting preparation

More than a quarter of UK voters plan on driving to their local polling station this year. 

If you’re one of them, you’ll want to know that JustPark is helping more people get to the polls this July 4th by offering 30 minutes of free parking when you go to cast your vote. Having a guaranteed space for your car upon arrival can save you from any additional queuing during peak hours, and get you into spaces closer to the polling station for easy access.

In the article below, we cover the essentials of election day, how to prepare to vote, getting to the polling station and what you’ll need to bring in order for a stress-free experience:

How to find your nearest polling station

Verify that you’re registered to vote

To check if you're registered to vote in the UK, visit the official government website or contact your local electoral registration office. They can confirm your registration status and provide details of your polling station. Registration for the 4th July election is now closed, but you can find out more about voting in the UK on the official government website.

Find your polling station notice

Polling station notifications are typically sent to voters by mail in the form of a poll card, which includes the location and opening times of your designated polling station. You must attend the polling station allocated to your postcode (the one listed on the polling card), even if there’s one that’s closer to your home. 

If you didn’t receive a poll card, you can find your polling station information online through resources outlined below.

Check your council website or use other ready-made website

There are a number of useful tools for finding which polling station you should cast your ballot. Some tools allow you to simply enter your postcode and see where your nearest polling station is; another is to simply refer back to your council website for more information. Most councils will provide you with more than enough information, including:

• Information about the 2024 General Election
• How to vote and where to find polling stations; many councils will have a Polling Station Finder, like this one used by Tower Hamlets in London for example
• Help for voters who may need assistance or have questions
• Details of the Elections Act to cover rules and regulations

Plan your journey to make sure you have plenty of time to vote

A recent survey showed that more than a quarter of drivers across the UK plan to drive to cast their vote on election day, meaning that finding a last-minute parking space - especially during the busier hours of the day - could be challenging.

That’s why JustPark is offering 30 minutes of free parking near polling stations on General Election Day, meaning anyone who plans to drive can have a guaranteed time slot and space for their car once they arrive. Whether it’s on your way to work, over your lunch break or during evening pick-up, this can help to cut-down on time at the polling station and reduce your chance of queues so you can focus on what’s important.

Plus, if you have any personal mobility needs or have a large vehicle, you can filter in the JustPark app to make sure you have the most appropriate space.

Book your parking space ahead of time and get all of your questions answered on the JustPark & Vote webpage. 

Preparing for Election Day

Timing your visit to avoid queues

Polling stations can get busy during peak hours, especially in congested areas or busier office areas where crowds of workers might go to vote over their lunch breaks.

To mitigate this and avoid queues, plan your visit ahead of time and book a parking space near the polling station to guarantee you’ll have somewhere to park when you arrive. Plus, you get 30 minutes absolutely free when you use JustPark on 4th July as a goodwill gesture to all voters across the country.

What to bring in order to vote

• In the UK, voters should plan to bring their poll card to the polling station, although it is not mandatory. While it's best to check local requirements before Election Day, in some areas you may need to show a photo ID, such as:some text
  • Valid UK passport
  • A UK or EU-issued driving licence
  • A Blue Badge
  • A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
  • A Northern Ireland Identity Card
  • A Voter Authority Certificate

What to do if you can’t get to a polling station

In the event you are unable to physically go to a polling station, there are a couple of options you can explore. Although some of these alternative methods are unfortunately closed for this coming July election, it is important to 

• Postal voting: Note that the deadline to register voting by mail has passed for the General Election, but you can still view the processes and guidelines for any future elections so you can be prepared.
• Proxy voting: This option allows a nominated person to cast your vote if you’re unable to do so in-person. The deadline to apply for the General Election is 26th June, so make sure you submit online if you plan on doing this.
• Emergency proxy voting: Some limited circumstances will allow for you to apply for an emergency proxy. These might include a medical emergency or the loss or theft of a government ID needed to vote. Applications can be made up to 5 PM on polling day if needed.