UK General Election 2024

Easy read: How to apply online for a postal vote (publishing.service.gov.uk) (opens new window)

Easy-Read-Guide-to-Registering-to-Vote.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk) (opens new window)

How to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate Easy Read (publishing.service.gov.uk) (opens new window)

Easy read: How to apply online for a proxy vote (publishing.service.gov.uk) (opens new window)

There are two constituency areas covering parts of West Lothian. These are:

• Bathgate and Linlithgow Constituency
• Livingston Constituency

MP's are elected through the first-past-the-post system.

You can only vote for one candidate in a general election. You vote by writing an X in the box next to the name of the candidate that you've chosen.

To vote in a general election you must:

• be registered to vote
• be 18 or over on the day of the election ('polling day')
• be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
• be resident at an address in the UK or living abroad and registered as an overseas voter
• not be legally excluded from voting

You can vote in person, via a postal vote or by proxy (have a selected individual vote on your behalf)

The deadline to register to vote in the Parliamentary general election on Thursday 4 July is Tuesday 18 June.

Registering to vote is now very easy. You can Register to Vote online (opens new window) or call 0131 344 2500 and the Electoral Registration Office will help with telephone registration.  Alternatively, you can download a form from the Electoral Registration Office (opens new window), Lothian Valuation Joint Board, 17A South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9FL.

For more information on elections and voting generally, please visit About My Vote (opens new window).

The council does not deal with registering to vote. That is done though the Electoral Registration Office at the address shown above.

Yes. You can submit a postal vote or a proxy vote where someone else votes in person on your behalf. You can also arrange for someone to cast your vote for you by post (postal proxy vote).

Please note there have been changes made to the rules around postal and proxy votes. Electoral Commission guide on changes to postal and proxy voting changes (opens new window)

Anyone who is registered to vote in this by election can apply to vote by post. Applications for new postal votes (including postal proxy votes where someone else submits the postal vote on your behalf) or changes to postal vote details must be made by 5pm on Wednesday 19 June 2024.

Applications for changes to existing postal or proxy votes must be made by 5pm on Wednesday 19 June 2024.

You can now apply for a postal vote online (opens new window).  If you apply online you will ONLY get a postal vote for a UK Parliamentary Election, not for Scottish Parliament or council elections.  

If you want a postal vote for all types of election, you can get an application form from the Electoral Registration Officer at www.lothian-vjb.gov.uk (opens new window) or by calling 0131 344 2500.  Completed application forms should be sent back to them at 17A South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9FL.  

Please note that the first day that a replacement can be issued for a lost or undelivered postal vote is Friday 28 June.   If you are getting a postal vote because you are going on holiday, and will be away before this date, consider if you want to appoint a proxy instead.  

A proxy vote allows a nominated person to cast your vote on your behalf either in person or by post. If you are already registered for a proxy vote but need to make changes to your details then this must be done by 5pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024.

Applications for new proxy votes (except for emergencies) must also be made by 5pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024.

Applications for emergency proxy votes can be made until 5pm on polling day (4 July 2024).

You can now apply for a proxy vote online (opens new window)

Applications can also be made to the Electoral Registration Officer at www.lothian-vjb.gov.uk (opens new window) or by sending complete applications to 17A South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9FL or calling 0131 344 2500.

By law, it is not currently possible to hold elections by postal vote only. 

A full list of polling stations is available on the council's website here: Where will I vote? (opens new window)

You will receive a polling letter confirming the location of your polling station.

Polling stations meet required standards to let disabled voters access them. Arrangements are also in place, and staff are trained, to enable disabled voters mark their ballot papers. 

The poll will be open from 7am and will close at 10pm. You will not be turned away at 10pm if you are already in a queue to vote.

Yes, voters will require photo ID to vote in the UK General Election. Full details on acceptable forms of ID and details on what you can do if you don't have any ID in time for the election on 4 July can be found here: Voter ID information (opens new window)

The votes will start to be counted on the night of Thursday 4 July 2024 and the result will be declared as soon as the count is completed

A full list of candidates will be published on the West Lothian Council website once the nomination period has closed after Friday 7 June.  

To be able to stand as a candidate at a UK Parliamentary general election in Great Britain you must, on the day you are nominated and on polling day, be:

• at least 18 years old, and

• either a British citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or an eligible Commonwealth citizen

The Electoral Commission has produced a guide (opens new window)