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Local elections 2023: When are they and who can vote? Local elections 2023: When are they and who can vote?
(17 days later)
Voters in some parts of England and in Northern Ireland will be able to choose new councillors in May. Voters in some parts of England and Northern Ireland will be able to choose new councillors in May.
The elections will decide who runs local services - such as schools, libraries and bin collections - in 241 councils. The elections decide who runs local services - such as schools, libraries and bin collections - across 241 councils.
In England, the deadline for registering to vote in person or by proxy is 23:59 BST on 17 April, or 17:00 BST on 18 April to request a postal vote.
Where and when are elections taking place?Where and when are elections taking place?
On 4 May, more than 8,000 seats will be contested at 230 councils across England.On 4 May, more than 8,000 seats will be contested at 230 councils across England.
Four mayoral elections will also be held: in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough. Mayoral elections are also taking place in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough.
In Northern Ireland, elections for 11 councils are being held on 18 May. In Northern Ireland, 11 council elections are being held on 18 May.
What to expect from May's local elections in England
How can I vote?How can I vote?
With council elections, voters have one vote for each available seat in an election area (known as a ward or division). in person at your local polling station
In most cases, that means one opportunity to vote - but large wards may have several seats. Whoever receives the most votes wins the seat.
Northern Ireland councils use the single transferable vote (STV) system - where voters rank candidates in order of preference.
Different voting systems are used in different councils so voters should read the instructions on their ballot paper carefully.
There are three ways to vote:
in person at a polling station (often in places such as schools and community centres)
by postal voteby postal vote
by nominating a proxy to vote on your behalfby nominating a proxy to vote on your behalf
You can find your local polling station here.You can find your local polling station here.
Voters must be: Voters (and proxies) must be:
aged 18 or overaged 18 or over
registered at an address in the area where they want to voteregistered at an address in the area where they want to vote
a British citizen, an Irish or EU citizen or eligible Commonwealth citizena British citizen, an Irish or EU citizen or eligible Commonwealth citizen
not legally excluded from votingnot legally excluded from voting
Voters usually have one vote for each available seat in an election area (known as a ward or division). Large wards may have several seats.
Whoever receives the most votes wins.
Northern Ireland councils use the single transferable vote (STV) system - where voters rank candidates in order of preference.
Different voting systems are used in different councils so voters should read their ballot paper carefully.
When do I need to register to vote by?When do I need to register to vote by?
In England, you must register to vote in person, or by proxy, by midnight on 17 April. This can be done online with a National Insurance number, or by writing to your council's Electoral Registration Office. In England, you must register to vote in person or by proxy before 23:59 BST on 17 April. You can register online with your National Insurance number, or write to your council's Electoral Registration Office.
In England, the deadline to request a postal vote is 17:00 BST on 18 April. The deadline to request a postal vote is 17:00 BST on 18 April.
In Northern Ireland, the deadline to register to vote, by post or by proxy, is 26 April; to vote in person you must register by 28 April. If you miss the deadline to nominate a proxy but cannot vote in person, you may be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote. You can do this until 17:00 on polling day.
In Northern Ireland, the deadline to register to vote by post or proxy is 26 April; to vote in person you must register by 28 April.
Electoral Commission: Register to voteElectoral Commission: Register to vote
Will I need to bring ID to vote?Will I need to bring ID to vote?
From 4 May 2023, voters in England will need to show photo ID in order to vote at polling stations in most elections. From 4 May 2023, voters in England must show photo ID to vote in person in most elections. You do not need to bring the card that lists your polling station.
There are 22 forms of valid ID including:There are 22 forms of valid ID including:
passportspassports
driving licencesdriving licences
Older or Disabled Person's bus passesOlder or Disabled Person's bus passes
Oyster 60+ cards. Oyster 60+ cards
The estimated two million people without an accepted form of ID can sign up for a free Voter Authority Certificate instead. Applications close on 25 April at 17:00 BST.
However, government data shows only 58,241 people had applied by 12 April.
Voter ID has been required in Northern Ireland since 2007.Voter ID has been required in Northern Ireland since 2007.
Why do you now need photo ID to vote?Why do you now need photo ID to vote?
Only 1% of eligible voters take up ID scheme
Watch: Ione Wells explains the new rules for voting in England, in a minute
Watch: Ione Wells explains the new rules for voting in England, in a minute
Can I bring my pet or my children?Can I bring my pet or my children?
Animals - apart from assistance dogs - are not usually allowed in polling stations. However, as dogs aren't specifically mentioned in UK electoral law, they are admitted to polling stations at the discretion of the local authority. Animals - apart from assistance dogs - are not usually allowed in polling stations.
Voters are encouraged to bring children to polling stations to help educate them about democracy - but they are not allowed to mark your ballot paper. However, other dogs can be admitted to polling stations at the discretion of the local authority.
What can't I do in a polling station? Voters are encouraged to bring children to polling stations to help educate them about democracy - but they must not mark the ballot paper.
What can and can't I do in a polling station?
What do local councils do?What do local councils do?
Local councils are responsible for many public services, including:Local councils are responsible for many public services, including:
providing care for the elderly and disabledproviding care for the elderly and disabled
schools
fixing potholes on some roadsfixing potholes on some roads
collecting rubbishcollecting rubbish
Northern Ireland councils have a more limited range of responsibilities and have no powers over education, road-building or housing, but the councils still collect taxes and maintain local services. Northern Ireland councils have fewer responsibilities. They do not run education, road-building or housing, but do collect taxes and maintain some local services.
What is council tax and how much is it rising?What is council tax and how much is it rising?
Why do these elections matter?Why do these elections matter?
These election will decide who is in charge of local public services - and how they are run. They decide who is in charge of local public services - and how they are run.
Local matters, such as contentious planning decisions, the state of roads and how efficiently bins are collected, often decide local elections. Local issues, such as contentious planning decisions, the state of roads or rubbish collection, often decide council elections.
Many services provided by councils have been disrupted by recent strikes.Many services provided by councils have been disrupted by recent strikes.
This comes off the back of long-term cuts to local government funding dating back to 2010, which followed the global financial crisis. Councils have seen long-term cuts to local government funding dating back to 2010, which followed the global financial crisis.
Rubbish collection is often an important local election topicRubbish collection is often an important local election topic
These elections could also be the last big test of the current Westminster government's popularity ahead of a general election, expected in 2024.These elections could also be the last big test of the current Westminster government's popularity ahead of a general election, expected in 2024.
The last time these council seats were contested, in May 2019, the Conservatives lost more than 1,300 seats. Labour lost 82. At the time, Theresa May was in her final weeks as prime minister, soon to be replaced by Boris Johnson. The last time these council seats were contested, in May 2019, the Conservatives lost more than 1,300 seats. Labour lost 82.
The Conservatives are currently trailing Labour by around 20 points in national voting polls. At the time, Theresa May was in her final weeks as prime minister, before being replaced by Boris Johnson.
The Conservatives are currently trailing Labour by about 15 points in national voting polls.
When will the results be known?When will the results be known?
More than 60 England local election results are expected to be announced overnight on Friday 5 May, with the rest due throughout the following day. Results from more than 60 councils in England are expected to be announced overnight, with the rest throughout the day on Friday 5 May.
In Northern Ireland, votes are not counted overnight and so results will start coming in on 19 May. In Northern Ireland votes are not counted overnight so results will start coming in on 19 May.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
NI local elections 2023NI local elections 2023
England local elections 2023England local elections 2023
Local governmentLocal government