The key 2024 general election dates all voters need to know

A date has been announced for the UK general election. Now voters will want to know what happens next and what will happen before and after the Fourth of July.

A strict calendar of events has been published as the countdown to voting day is set to begin. The days between now and the end of Parliament will be used to complete any urgent business in the Commons and Lords.

Although it also means that certain pieces of legislation currently going through parliament – such as the Tobacco and Vaping Act and the Football Governance Act – are likely to be lost or otherwise watered down.

This will also be the first UK general election where all voters will be required to show valid photo ID before voting.

Here are the key dates:

– May 24, 2024: Parliament was prorogued, marking the end of the parliamentary session, finishing most business.

– May 30: Parliament was dissolved. By law, this must take place no later than 25 working days before voting day, which in this case is 30 May.

– June 7: Deadline for nomination of candidates. It is highly likely that candidates for some of the UK’s 650 constituencies have yet to be chosen. Political parties will rush to find people to fill these gaps.

– June 18: Deadline for registering to vote. This can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.

– June 19: Deadline to apply for postal voting.

– June 26: Deadline to apply for a proxy vote – in other words, for someone to vote on your behalf – and to apply for a voter ID if you don’t already have a valid form of photo ID.

– July 4: Election Day. Polling stations will open between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

– July 9: The new Parliament will be summoned to meet

– July 17: State opening of the Parliament.