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Local elections 2023: When are they and who can vote? Local elections 2023: When are they and who can vote?
(about 8 hours later)
The deadline for registering to vote in person for local elections in England has now ended. Voters in some parts of England and Northern Ireland will choose new councillors in May.
But people still have until 17:00 BST on Tuesday to request a postal vote. The deadline for registering to vote in person or by proxy in England has now passed, but people have until 17:00 BST on Tuesday to request a postal vote.
Voters in some parts of the country will choose new councillors in May. In Northern Ireland, the deadline to register to vote by post or proxy is 26 April, or 28 April to vote in person.
In Northern Ireland, residents have until 26 April to register to vote for local elections.
Local elections are not taking place in Scotland or Wales.
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.
Mayoral elections are also taking place in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough.Mayoral elections are also taking place in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough.
In Northern Ireland, 11 council elections are being held on 18 May.In Northern Ireland, 11 council elections are being held on 18 May.
There are no elections in Scotland or Wales.
What to expect from May's local elections in EnglandWhat to expect from May's local elections in England
How can I vote?How can I vote?
in person at your local polling station in person at your polling station
by postal vote by post
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 polling station here.
Voters (and proxies) 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
Rules vary so it is important to read your ballot paper carefully. Rules vary so voters should read their ballot paper carefully.
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.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.Whoever receives the most votes wins.
Northern Ireland councils use the single transferable vote (STV) system - where voters rank candidates in order of preference. Northern Ireland uses the single transferable vote (STV) system - where voters rank candidates in order of preference.
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 before 23:59 BST on 17 April. You can register online, or contact your council's Electoral Registration Office. In England the deadline to register vote in person or by proxy has passed. 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. If you miss the deadline to nominate a proxy but then can't vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote before 17:00 on polling day.
If you miss the deadline to nominate a proxy but then aren't able to vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote before 17:00 on polling day.
In Northern Ireland, the deadline to register to vote by post or proxy is 17:00 BST on 26 April; to vote in person you must register by 23:59 BST on 28 April.In Northern Ireland, the deadline to register to vote by post or proxy is 17:00 BST on 26 April; to vote in person you must register by 23:59 BST on 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 must show photo ID to vote in person in most elections. You do not need to bring the card that lists your polling station. From 4 May 2023, voters in England must show photo ID to vote in person. You do not need to bring your poll card.
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+ cardsOyster 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. You can use out-of-date ID as long as you look the same.
However, government data shows only 64,069 people had applied by 15 April. The estimated two million people without the right ID can sign up for a free Voter Authority Certificate. Applications close on 25 April at 17:00 BST, but you must already have applied to vote in person.
However, government data shows only 67,234 people had applied by 17 April.
Voter ID has been required in Northern Ireland since 2003.Voter ID has been required in Northern Ireland since 2003.
Voter ID could overwhelm staff, councils warnVoter ID could overwhelm staff, councils warn
Watch: Ione Wells explains the new rules for voting in England, in a minuteWatch: 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 minuteWatch: 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.Animals - apart from assistance dogs - are not usually allowed in polling stations.
However, other dogs can be admitted to polling stations at the discretion of the local authority. However, other dogs can be admitted at the discretion of the local authority.
Voters are encouraged to bring children to polling stations to help educate them about democracy - but they must not mark the ballot paper. Voters are encouraged to bring children to polling stations to educate them about democracy - but they must not mark the ballot paper.
What can and can't I do in a polling station?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
schoolsschools
fixing potholes on some roadsfixing potholes on some roads
collecting rubbishcollecting rubbish
Northern Ireland councils have fewer responsibilities. They do not run education, road-building or housing, but do collect taxes and maintain some 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?
They 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 issues, such as contentious planning decisions, the state of roads or rubbish collection, often decide council 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.
Councils have seen 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 the next general election, expected in 2024.These elections could also be the last big test of the current Westminster government's popularity ahead of the next 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.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, before being replaced by Boris Johnson. At the time, Theresa May was about to be replaced as prime minister by Boris Johnson.
The Conservatives are currently trailing Labour by about 15 points in national voting polls.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?
Results from more than 60 councils in England are expected to be announced overnight, with the rest throughout the day on Friday 5 May. Results from more than 60 English councils are expected overnight, with the rest announced throughout the day on Friday 5 May.
In Northern Ireland votes are not counted overnight 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
England local elections 2023England local elections 2023
Local governmentLocal government