What is voting?
Voting is a way for a group of people to make a choice or a decision.
When a group of people vote it is called an
election
An election is when people choose who should be in charge of something. This could be in charge of a group, an area, or the country. People choose by voting. The person with the most votes wins.
.
In the UK, we vote to choose who to represent us and make important decisions.
There are different elections to choose people for jobs like Members of
Parliament
Parliament is a group of people who make laws and check what
the government
The Government are the people who run the country. The Government decide how much
tax
Tax is the money that pays for things like schools, hospitals and the police. There are different types of taxes like
income tax
Income tax is the money that is taken out of the money you earn every month. It helps to pay for things we all need like hospitals and schools.
,
VAT
VAT is also called Value Added Tax. VAT is the extra money you pay when you buy things. The money goes to the government to pay for things like schools and hospitals.
and
council tax
Council Tax is the money that people pay to the council. It helps to pay for things like social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
.
people should pay and how things like the National Health Service (
NHS
The NHS is the National Health Service. The NHS gives free healthcare to everyone in the UK and includes things like your GP (doctors) surgery and hospitals.
) should work.
is doing.
(MPs), Mayors, or councillors.
But to use your vote in an election, you have to register and follow some rules.
Our information will tell you what you need to know.
My Vote My Voice
Mencap has joined the My Vote My Voice campaign, bringing together charities to campaign to remove barriers to voting, and raise awareness about people with a learning disability’s right to vote.
Learn more at My Vote My Voice.
When is the General Election in 2024?
Thursday 4 July
Thursday 4 July is the day of the General Election when people can vote in person.
It is called Polling day.
If you are voting in person at a polling station you can find out more about what to expect with My Vote My Voice.
Is it time to vote?
Elections can happen at different times in different parts of the country.
Find out if you will have the chance to use your vote in an election in your area, using the Electoral Commission
website
A website is a page you can go to on the internet like Google or YouTube.
.
