this post was submitted on 17 Feb 2024
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Provided I get good grades for my A-Levels, I'll be going to uni in September. I am registered to vote in Hexham, but my universities are in other constituencies (mainly in Scotland).

So, if the upcoming general election is in October like predicted, how do I vote?

Should I register to vote in a different constituency? Or can I have my postal vote rerouted to Scotland?

It's my first time for all of this, so I don't even know what's legal and what isn't when it comes to voting. Can anyone help?

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[โ€“] fakeman_pretendname 7 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

In short:

  • You can vote
  • You can be registered in one or both places
  • You can vote in local elections in both places
  • You can vote in national elections in one place only

Hopefully most of that is answered on this website:

Electoral Commission - Who Can Vote - Students

Hope that helps you - and if you can, do vote, and encourage others to do so too.

[Edit/rant] Also worth noting, as mentioned in the other reply - The Tories have brought in new rules to mean you must own and take photographic ID with you to be allowed to vote i.e. a passport or driving licence. If you're not wealthy enough to drive or have international holidays, you're no longer allowed to participate in democracy.

Electoral Commission - Voter ID

[โ€“] HumanPenguin 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

register at Home and university address.

Vote in all locals at both.

Choose one for national elections.

Main Disadvantage

If you will not be at tht location when the election happens. You must travel or vote by mail.

Main advantage

You can choose the location where your vote is most likely too make a difference.

Worth noting. With all the tory desperation for voter ID.

Multiple homes in different catchment areas. Is the one floor in the system where folks can vote multiple times. And have close to 0 risk of getting cought.

Voter ID has no effect on it. (As implemented).

And unlike most other things like voting for dead folks or other ID based flaws. The local data and risk of multiple votes has no risk of turning up the fault. And arresting the voter in jail.

As other situations 1 vote is registered at 1 polling stations. Any multiple votes will show up as soon as the 2nd one happens.

And vote from home again is one person to one station. And is checked to ensure if an in person vote. Mail votes are not counted.

The numbers are still way to low to effect anything. Unless large % of voters suddenly rent a 2nd home.

But as only the wealthy can do it. Tories clearly dont see it as an issue.

Because ids only a crime in national elections. Registering is perfectly legal.

And actual voting lists where they check each voter and tick you off on the paper sheet. Are both phycical and only apply to one polling center.

The ability to check for the crime accross the whole country. Is very impractical and complex. AND LIKELY "CLOSE TO" Impossible with out digitising the paper lists and tick. Polling stations use to confirm you came to vote.