Will schools be closed on General Election polling day?

The country will go to the polls on July 4 after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a General Election this week.

The vote will be held in July for the first time since 1945.

It will take place during term time and as local returning officers can take over any state school to use as a polling station your child’s school could be closed.

The school should get with parents and carers of any pupils affected so keep an eye on your inbox.

If you don’t hear one way or another get in touch with the school to double check.

Children are allowed in the polling booth, if you need to look after them that day, just make sure they don’t mark the ballot paper.

What are the rules on voting?

All British citizens, qualifying Commonwealth citizens and Republic of Ireland citizens with a UK address can vote as long as they are 18 or above.

If you haven’t already, you must register to vote in the constituency you live in before June 18.

Since May last year, voters have to show a valid form of photo ID at polling stations.

There are 22 acceptable forms of ID, including passports, driving licences, older or disabled bus person’s bus passes and Oyster 60+ cards.

Those not able to make it to a polling station on the day can vote by post, just make sure you apply by 5pm on Wednesday, June 19.

You don’t need to give a reason for why you want to vote by post, unless you’re in Northern Ireland.

You can find out more about postal votes in our explainer here.

Alternatively, you can nominate a proxy to vote on your behalf, as long as you are both registered to vote.

The rules for voting by proxy have changed. If you applied for a proxy vote before October 31 last year, this has expired and you need to apply again.

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on June 26.

Am I on the electoral roll?

If you want to check if you are registered on the electoral register you will need to contact your local Electoral Registration Office.

Alternatively, you can enter your postcode into The Electoral Commission’s website and this will help you find your local Electoral Services office.

The website should also give you an email you can use to contact the registration office, and they can let you know if you’re registered to vote or not.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.