A general election is being held on July 4 so for city residents, that means electing an MP for Worcester.

Robin Walker has confirmed he’s stepping down after 14 years as a Tory MP so whatever happens on the night, Worcester will have a new MP.

Registering to vote

If you’re thinking about voting by post, the first thing you need to do is make sure you’re registered to vote. This means being on the Electoral Register.

If you’ve recently moved house, are just about to turn 18 or have never voted before, you can register at gov.uk/register-to-vote

You can check if you’re registered to vote by emailing electoralservices@worcester.gov.uk - remember to include your name and address.

The deadline to be registered to vote in the general election is 11.59pm on Tuesday, June 18.

How do I get a postal vote?

If you know you won’t be able to get to the polling station on the day of the election, you can vote by post.

You don’t have to tell anyone the reason, you just need to complete an application.

You can do this online via the gov.uk website or by downloading a postal vote application form from electoralcommisson.org.uk

Since the rules around using photo ID when voting came into place, you will need to prove your identity when applying. Details of how to do this will be included on the form.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote in the general election is 5pm on Wednesday, June 19.

If you vote by post, it means you won't be able to vote in the polling station on polling day.

What is a proxy vote?

A proxy vote is when you appoint someone else to vote on your behalf. This person must also be a registered voter and you must give a reason for your inability to attend the polling station.

You can apply for a proxy online at gov.uk, download a form from the Electoral Commission website or get in touch with Worcester City Council.

Applications must be made no later than 5pm, six working days before an election.