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Elections

Register to vote

The district and borough councils are in charge of the Register of Electors. More information, including how to register, can be found on their websites:

If you do not register to vote you will not be able to vote at any election and it may also be difficult to get credit, as the credit reference agencies use the Register of Electors to verify the residency of people applying for credit. It is also a criminal offence not to complete and return the annual canvass form or to provide false information. The fine can be up to £1000.

You are entitled to register if you are:

  • A British, Commonwealth or Irish citizen or a citizen of one of the European Union Member States
  • You are or will reach the age of 18 during the life of the Register.

This means that anyone who is 16 or 17 at the time of the annual audit should be included on the registration form as they may become 18 whilst the Register is in force. Also include:

  • lodgers or people staying at the address who have no other home.
  • anyone who normally lives at the address but is away temporarily. This includes people in hospital, students, anyone on holiday or working away for less than 6 months.

More information is available at AboutMyVote.co.uk

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Polling stations

The district and borough councils issue polling cards approximately ten days before elections, which will tell you where your polling station will be.

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Postal voting

Postal voting is managed by the district and borough councils. More information can be found on their websites:

You can apply to vote by post at any election. The postal vote can be for a particular election, for a set period or permanently and can be sent to any address you choose to receive it at.

If you choose to vote by post, your ballot paper will be sent to you 1 week prior to the election day. You mark your ballot paper in the normal way and then return it in the pre-paid envelope along with the other documentation before the close of poll.

If you are going away during the week prior to election day, and it will not be convenient for you to receive a postal ballot paper at your holiday address, you can arrange to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf.

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Proxy voting

You are welcome to apply for a proxy application form if you are unable to go to your polling station on election day. A proxy is someone who will go to the polling station and vote with your authority on your behalf.

The proxy vote can be for a particular election, for a set period or permanently and can be sent to any address you choose to receive it at.

Completed applications for Postal and Proxy Votes must be received by your local district or borough council electoral services team no later than 5pm, 6 working days prior to an election.

Postal voting is managed by the district and borough councils. More information can be found on their websites:

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Past results

By-elections

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