General election 2024: Key questions answered for Lincolnshire and Rutland voters

As Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced, the UK is heading for a July election for the first time since 1945 — and many questions are on voters lips.

We take a look at everything you need to know for the upcoming July 4 vote, including how to have your say and if schools will be affected.

Do I need photo ID?

Yes. You will need a government-issued photo ID to vote in the general election on July 4.

You can still use your ID even if it has expired, but the photo on your ID must look like you.

Examples of acceptable IDs include a UK driving licence, a UK passport and a biometric residence permit. A full list of the acceptable IDs can be found here.

Who is eligible to vote?

To vote, you need to be registered to vote and be 18 or over on polling day.

People eligible to vote include UK or Irish citizens, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen living in the UK, or a qualifying EU citizen living in the UK.

How do I register to vote?

You can register to vote on the UK government website here.

If you are not sure if you’re able to vote, you should contact you should contact the elections team at your local district, borough or combined authority council.

Will schools used as polling stations be closed?

All state-funded schools can have their rooms used as polling stations and schools must comply with requests for use from the returning officer of an election. Your child’s school may well be closed on election day, so be sure to reach out to school administrators to find out ahead of time.

Where do I vote if I'm a student?

Students can register to vote using either their home or term-time addresses.

But if your home and university address are in two different local authority areas, you will need to choose which constituency you want to vote in.

Voting in more than one location is a crime.

If you're not sure if you're already registered to vote, you can check by getting in touch with your local authority.

What do I do if I'm on holiday?

If you will be abroad on polling day you can either apply to vote by post, or apply to have someone else vote on your behalf - this is called voting by proxy.

Government guidance says your proxy should be someone you trust. You’ll need to tell them which candidate you want to vote for. If two, weeks before the election, you know you will not be in the country but have not registered to vote by post, you should apply to vote by proxy.

What’s the current situation in and around Lincolnshire?

Lincolnshire is a Conservative Party stronghold. The results of the 2019 General Election were:

Boston and Skegness - In 2019 the constituency was won by Conservative Matt Warman. The result was Con 76.7%, Lab 15.2%, Lib Dem 4.71%, other 3.42%

Gainsborough - Conservative Sir Edward Leigh won the seat in 2019. The result was Con 66.4%, Labour 21.4%, Lib Dem 10.1%, other 2.1%

Grantham and Bourne - The constituency is currently part of Grantham and Stamford and held by Conservative Gareth Davies. The 2019 result was Con 65.7%, Lab 19.3%, Lib Dem 10.99%, Green 4.04%

Lincoln - The seat currently held by Conservative Karl McCartney. The 2019 result was: Con 47.9%, Lab 41%, Lib 4.78%, Green 2.36%, Brexit 2.13%, others 1.8%)

Louth and Horncastle - Conservative Victoria Atkins won the seat in 2019 with the result of Con 72.7%, Lab 17.5%, Lib Dem 7.86%, Others 1.99%

Rutland and Stamford - In 2019 the constituency was part of Rutland and Melton and won by Conservative Alicia Kearns. The result was Con 62.6%, Lab 16.4%, Lib Dem 13.67%, Green 4.93%, other 2.36%

Sleaford and North Hykeham - The seat was won by Conservative Dr Caroline Johnson in 2019. The result was Con 67.1%, Lab 18.2%, Lib Dem 8.05%, other 3.99%, Green 2.62%

South Holland and The Deepings - The seat has been won by Conservative Sir John Hayes at every election since it was created in 1997. The result was Con 75.9%, Lab 13.22%, Lib Dem 6.56%, Green 3.28%, Others 1.02%

Over the border

North West Cambridgeshire - Conservative Shailesh Vara is the current MP. The 2019 result was Con 62.5%, Lab 22.2%, Lib Dem 10.66%, Green 4.68%)

Corby and East Northamptonshire - The constituency is currently known as Corby and is held by Conservative Tom Pursglove.

Has my constituency changed?

Since the last election, the Boundary Commission for England reshaped Lincolnshire’s parliamentary constituency map.

The current Grantham and Stamford seat will be split - with new Grantham and Bourne and Rutland and Stamford seats to be created.

Who is leading the polls currently?

Labour has been leading in the polls since the start of 2022, and currently has a 21% lead over the Conservatives.

Polling indicates 44% of the public would vote Labour and 23% for Conservatives. The Reform party is currently polling at 11%, the Liberal Democrats at 10% and Greens with 7% support.

In Lincolnshire, poling suggests the Tories will remain strong - albeit with vastly reduced majorities from 2019.

When will we know who's won?

Historically, general election results have been confirmed by the morning after polling day. So we should know who has been successful in each parliamentary constituency, and which party has won overall, by July 5.