THE polling stations are now open for the general election.

We have put together this handy guide on what you need to know if you're heading out to vote.

Where do I vote?

Your poll card will contain the address of your polling station, but to find out where yours is, visit https://wheredoivote.co.uk/.

Postal votes must have arrived at the elections team at the council by 10pm on polling day to be counted, so they must be posted with plenty of time ahead of election day.

When can I vote?

Polling stations are open between 7am and 10pm.

What do I need to bring with me?

You must bring an accepted form of identification to vote, or a Voter Authority Certificate, issued by the government.

If you are voting as someone’s proxy, you must bring your own ID to vote, you do not need to bring theirs.

A full list of approved ID are:

  • a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
  • a driving licence issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
  • a UK passport
  • a passport issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
  • a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
  • a Blue Badge
  • a biometric residence permit (BRP)
  • a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
  • a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein - a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
  • a Voter Authority Certificate
  • an Anonymous Elector’s Document
  • an older person’s bus pass
  • a disabled person’s bus pass
  • an Oyster 60+ card
  • a Freedom Pass
  • a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
  • a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass

Which constituency am I a part of?

To search which constituency you fall under, visit https://members.parliament.uk/constituencies.

Who can I vote for?

There are a range of candidates standing in the election from across the political spectrum.

You can read a full list of every candidate and their parties here.

What policies do the candidates stand for?

We have asked every candidate standing in our area the same six questions.

You can read their answers here:

The answers of candidates standing in North Dorset, South Dorset and New Forest West were published in the Bournemouth Echo and on our website on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

For more information on how to vote, visit https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote