UK Parliamentary (General) Election - 4 July 2024

On Thursday 4 July 2024 there will be a Parliamentary (General) Election in the United Kingdom.  In the Darlington Borough Council area voters will be electing Members of Parliament to either the Darlington Parliamentary Constituency or the Stockton West Constituency (Hurworth and Middleton St. George Wards only).

Important documentation and notices:-

Darlington Constituency:-

• Notice of Election - Darlington Constituency [pdf document]
• Notice of Election Agents' Names and Offices [pdf document]
• Notice of Election Sub-Agents' Names and Offices [pdf document]
• Statement of Persons Nominated, Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations [pdf document]

Stockton West Constituency:-

• Notice of Election - Stockton West Constituency [pdf document]
• Notice of Election Agents' Names and Offices [pdf document]
• Statement of Persons Nominated, Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations [pdf document]

2023 Parliamentary Boundary Review

Following the parliamentary boundary review in 2023, the Borough of Darlington is now split into two Constituencies namely the Darlington Constituency and the Stockton West Constituency.  You can view a map of the new constituencies on the Boundary Commission for England website [external link].

Standing for Election

Should you wish to stand as a candidate in the election, guidance can be found on the Electoral Commission [external link] website.  Alternatively you can contact the elections team by telephoning 01325 406444 or e-mailing [email protected] 

Completed nomination papers must be received by the Acting Returning Officer by 4.00 pm on Friday 7 June 2024.  Further information can be found in the timetable below.

Register to vote

To be able to vote in the elections you must be registered to vote.  If you are not already registered, you can do so online.  You need to be registered by midnight on Tuesday 18 June 2024.

Register to vote [external link]

Ways to vote

You can vote in these elections either:

• In person at the polling station between 7.00 am and 10.00 pm.  You can find out where your polling station is by checking your poll card.  You will be required to show photographic identification (ID).
• By post.  You will need to apply before 5.00 pm on Wednesday 19 June 2024
• By proxy (someone voting on your behalf).  You will need to apply before 5.00 pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024.

Apply for a postal vote [external link]

Apply for a proxy vote [external link]

Important - How you can you return your postal vote has changed.

What photographic ID will be accepted?

Gov.uk has a full list of accepted photo ID [external link].

What if I don't have an accepted form of ID?

If you do not have any of the accepted photo ID, and you want to vote at a polling station, you will need to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) or your can apply to vote by post.  You can do this electronically up to 5.00 pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024 using the link below.

 Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate [external link].

Alternatively, you can complete a paper application form.  You must apply before 5.00 pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024.

For more information on Voter ID and applying for a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) see our Elections Act 2022 page or the Voter ID - Your Guide [pdf document].

Need help finding a polling station?

Key dates and timetable of events

Date	Description
Thursday 30 May 2024	Dissolution of Parliament and Issue of Writ
Friday 31 May 2024	Receipt of Writ
Monday 3 June 2024	Publication of Notice of Election Notice of Election - Darlington Constituency [pdf document] Notice of Election - Stockton West Constituency [pdf document]
Tuesday 4 June 2024	Poll Cards / Letters posted (Issue 1) (for current electors)
by 4.00 pm Friday 7 June 2024	Delivery of Nomination Papers.  Nomination Papers should be delivered to the Returning Officer between Monday 3 and Friday 7 June 2024 (between the hours of 10.00 am and 4.00 pm).  Please contact Paul Dalton (tel. 01325 405803 or e-mail [email protected]) to arrange delivery of your nomination paper or undertake any formal checks.   (Note - Nomination Papers for the Stockton West Constituency should be delivered to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council)
5.00 pm Friday 7 June 2024	Publication of Notice of Poll
5.00 pm Friday 7 June 2024	Publication of Statement of Persons Nominated Statement of Persons Nominated, Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations - Darlington Constituency [pdf document] Statement of Persons Nominated, Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations - Stockton West Constituency [pdf document]
5.00 pm Friday 7 June 2024	Publication of Notice of Election Agents Notice of Election Agents' Names and Offices - Darlington Constituency [pdf document] Notice of Election Sub-Agents' Names and Offices - Darlington Constituency [pdf document] Notice of Election Agents' Names and Offices - Stockton West Constituency [pdf document]
6.00 pm Tuesday 11 June 2024	Briefing for Candidates and Agents - Committee Room No. 3, Town Hall, Feethams, Darlington, DL1 5QT
Tuesday 11 June 2024	Postal Votes posted to overseas electors
Monday 17 June 2024	Postal Votes posted to electors who applied prior to Monday 3 June 2024
by midnight Tuesday 18 June 2024	Deadline for receipt of new applications to register to vote [external link]
5.00 pm Wednesday 19 June 2024	Deadline to apply for a postal vote [external link] or postal proxy, and for changes to existing postal and proxy arrangements
Friday 21 June 2024	Poll Cards / Letters posted (Issue 2)
Monday 24 June 2024	Postal Votes posted to electors who applied between Monday 3 June and Wednesday 19 June 2024
5.00 pm Wednesday26 June 2024	Deadline to apply for a voter authority certificate [external link]
5.00 pm Wednesday 26 June 2024	Deadline to apply for a proxy vote [external link]
Thursday 27 June 2024	Deadline for notification of appointment of Polling and Counting Agents
Friday 28 June 2024	First day to issue replacements for lost postal ballot papers
7.00 am to 10.00 pm Thursday 4 July 2024	Day of Poll
5.00 pm Thursday 4 July 2024	Deadline for receipt of Emergency Proxy Applications
5.00 pm Thursday 4 July 2024	Deadline to apply for a replacement for spoilt or lost postal votes
10.00 pm Thursday 4 July 2024	Verification and Count - Sports Hall, Dolphin Centre, Horsemarket, Darlington, DL1 5RP.  Please note that attendance at the verification and count is by invitation only and only candidates, agents and count agents are able to attend.