As you will be aware, the General Election will take place on Thursday 4 July. Many changes have been made to the election process over the past couple of years and so it is important that you are aware of how this may affect you.

Voters now have to reapply for postal votes more regularly and people will be able to cast fewer proxy votes. Both postal and proxy voting allow people to cast ballots without going to a polling station in person.

Voters now have to reapply for a postal vote every three years. Previously, voters did not have to show ID if voting by post, but under the new rules, an online identity check has been introduced for all applications for all absentee voting — which covers both postal and proxy voting.

Proxy voting allows people to authorise someone else to vote on their behalf. The changes mean that there is now a limit to the amount of people someone can be a proxy for. You can act as a proxy for two people. If you vote on behalf of UK voters who live overseas, you can act as a proxy for up to four people (but only two of those can live in the UK).

If you wish to vote by post, you can now apply online at: www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 19 June. You must also be registered to vote by 11.59pm on Tuesday 18 June. If you visit the council offices or a polling station when handing in postal votes, you will need to sign a declaration form. Due to this, please do not leave them at our reception without signing the declaration form, or post them through our letterbox, because we will be unable to accept them. However, if you post your form back to us by Royal Mail – this is not required.

If you need someone to vote on your behalf, you can also apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote. The deadline is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June. You must apply for a proxy vote for every election.

I also want to remind you that if you are voting in person you will need to show photographic ID to vote. Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK or EEA drivers’ licence; and, some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. The full list can be found at www.electoralcommission.org.uk. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo. You must also have ID if you are voting on behalf of someone else.

If you don’t have any of the accepted forms of ID, the deadline to apply for a free voter authority certificate is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June. Please visit: www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or request a paper application form from our Elections Team by emailing elections@chichester.gov.uk or call 01243 521010. Please remember to supply a hard copy photo or electronic photo with your application. The team will assist you if you are unable to supply your own photo or need help applying.

On Thursday 4 July, polling stations will be open from 7am-10pm. If you’re not sure where to vote, then you can find your local polling station here: https://wheredoivote.co.uk/. For more information about the elections, please go to: www.chichester.gov.uk/elections The Electoral Commission also has lots more information on voting and the elections, which can be found at: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections Following the election, you can also find the results at: www.chichester.gov.uk/electionresults