On Thursday 4 July, elections will take place in Cambridge for Members of Parliament for the Cambridge constituency (in 12 city wards) and the South Cambridgeshire constituency (in Cherry Hinton and Queen Edith’s ward).

If you wish to vote at these elections you must be registered to vote by the end of Tuesday 18 June, if you are not already registered. If you are on the electoral register you will receive a poll card.

You can register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote if you have your National Insurance number to hand – a process which should only take a few minutes. Alternatively residents can request a paper form by calling the council on 01223 457048.

Robert Pollock, Acting Returning Officer for the general election, said: “This is your chance to vote for the MP you want to represent Cambridge. I would encourage anyone who is not registered to vote to do so before the 18 June deadline. It’s quick and easy.

“Make sure you are registered to vote in Cambridge if you have moved address recently, if you are a student, or if you are unsure you are registered, at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

“If you are already registered but want to vote by post you can apply for a postal vote up until 5pm on Wednesday 19 June.

“If you would like to appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf you can apply to vote by proxy up until 5pm on Wednesday 26 June. This may be the best option if you are going to be away from Cambridge on 4 July and there is a chance a postal vote would not get to you in time.”

Prospective voters are also being reminded that for the first time at a UK general election, photo ID must be shown by anyone wanting to vote in person at a polling station.

Voters can take a variety of different photo ID in order to vote, including passport, driver’s licence, blue badge, older or disabled person’s bus pass, Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) card and many more. For the complete list of acceptable forms of ID visit www.cambridge.gov.uk/voter-id-in-polling-stations

Anyone without an otherwise acceptable form of ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate either online (at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate)  or by post. This is a free photo ID document issued for the specific purpose of voting at a polling station.

The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for the general election on 4 July is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June.