Voting in General Elections for Beginners
June 7, 2024 1:15 AM Subscribe
After jumping through the requisite hoops I now find myself able to vote in UK elections for the first time ever! I'll be voting by post as an Overseas Voter.
However, I need some help and guidance as this is entirely new to me. Is there a good primer for people who know nothing about voting in UK that is unbiased and helpful? I'm looking for information on both how the system works, and how to choose a candidate aligned with my interests and who also won't be a wasted vote.
Best answer: It is my understanding that you will be effectively voting for the local authority to which you are most connected. It's not entirely clear to me how that works if you've never held residence in the country, so that would be the first thing to investigate.
Here are some key resources:
https://fullfact.org/election-2024/all/ - independent fact checking service
https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/ - check your postcode to see the eligible candidates
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/ - full voting record and other related details for MPs
https://tactical.vote/ - Obviously a site with an explicit agenda, but helpful to see how the last election went and what the distribution of votes are between the parties and how much your vote is likely to count towards a specific outcome based on historical figures.
posted by slimepuppy at 2:10 AM on June 7, 2024
Here are some key resources:
https://fullfact.org/election-2024/all/ - independent fact checking service
https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/ - check your postcode to see the eligible candidates
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/ - full voting record and other related details for MPs
https://tactical.vote/ - Obviously a site with an explicit agenda, but helpful to see how the last election went and what the distribution of votes are between the parties and how much your vote is likely to count towards a specific outcome based on historical figures.
posted by slimepuppy at 2:10 AM on June 7, 2024
Congrats. The key information, as I am sure you know, is what constituency you will be voting in. Some of the seats are hotly contested, others less so.
Personally, I don't engage in tactical voting and vote for the candidate that best aligns with my politics. However, I've never voted in a close run. If my vote really was needed to oust or fend off a baddie, then I might compromise.
posted by einekleine at 2:14 AM on June 7, 2024
Personally, I don't engage in tactical voting and vote for the candidate that best aligns with my politics. However, I've never voted in a close run. If my vote really was needed to oust or fend off a baddie, then I might compromise.
posted by einekleine at 2:14 AM on June 7, 2024
Response by poster: These are extremely helpful links! Thank you!
I agree with you einekleine but after using the tactical.vote site above I have some thinking and reading to do. I prefer to cast votes aligned with my values but it's almost certain my party of choice won't win a seat. Happily, I have some time to decide and to start reading the local newspapers to gauge sentiment.
posted by 73pctGeek at 3:20 AM on June 7, 2024 [1 favorite]
I agree with you einekleine but after using the tactical.vote site above I have some thinking and reading to do. I prefer to cast votes aligned with my values but it's almost certain my party of choice won't win a seat. Happily, I have some time to decide and to start reading the local newspapers to gauge sentiment.
posted by 73pctGeek at 3:20 AM on June 7, 2024 [1 favorite]
Best answer: This post makes the case for prioritizing national issues over and above local ones. I don't agree with this in every case, but as an overseas voter it may be particularly relevant to you.
posted by verstegan at 4:31 AM on June 7, 2024
posted by verstegan at 4:31 AM on June 7, 2024
Best answer: Congratulations!
An extra minor point of information - candidates have to make a £500 deposit payment to stand in parliamentary elections. This is only returned if they receive 5% or more of the constituency's vote. So supporting smaller parties on principle in seats where they have no overall chance isn't always an entirely effect-less move.
More info here, including a breakdown of which parties lost how much money through this system in 2017. It adds up to a not insignificant amount in some cases.
posted by protorp at 4:36 AM on June 7, 2024 [1 favorite]
An extra minor point of information - candidates have to make a £500 deposit payment to stand in parliamentary elections. This is only returned if they receive 5% or more of the constituency's vote. So supporting smaller parties on principle in seats where they have no overall chance isn't always an entirely effect-less move.
More info here, including a breakdown of which parties lost how much money through this system in 2017. It adds up to a not insignificant amount in some cases.
posted by protorp at 4:36 AM on June 7, 2024 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The site seems to be waiting-waiting but Swap My Vote has served my family in the past to give them agency in a constituency with a large majority of The Wrong Party by adopting a like-minded pen-pal in a different part of the country.
posted by BobTheScientist at 4:54 AM on June 7, 2024
posted by BobTheScientist at 4:54 AM on June 7, 2024
Best answer: The website for the Houses of Parliament itself is an impartial and reliable source of information about process and has an introduction to general elections with further links.
posted by plonkee at 6:17 AM on June 7, 2024
posted by plonkee at 6:17 AM on June 7, 2024
It's not entirely clear to me how that works if you've never held residence in the country, so that would be the first thing to investigate.
This is me and my understanding is that I did not get the right to vote due to the change that restored many people's voting rights. The person I know who at least had a childhood address is of the opinion he shouldn't vote even though he now can, so I don't know the answer there either.
posted by hoyland at 9:17 AM on June 7, 2024
This is me and my understanding is that I did not get the right to vote due to the change that restored many people's voting rights. The person I know who at least had a childhood address is of the opinion he shouldn't vote even though he now can, so I don't know the answer there either.
posted by hoyland at 9:17 AM on June 7, 2024
Best answer: For information on how the system works you can check out the Electoral Commission They are an independent body who oversee the electoral process and provide guidance on the rules for those running the elections.
posted by TheCassiniDivision at 11:38 AM on June 7, 2024
posted by TheCassiniDivision at 11:38 AM on June 7, 2024
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There's also I Side With, which walks you through a series of policy-related questions and then shows how your answers map to different candidates and parties.
posted by terretu at 2:03 AM on June 7, 2024 [1 favorite]