Key dates for the 2023 council elections

Residents are reminded that they need to be on the electoral register if they want to vote in May’s council elections.

They are also being urged to make sure they apply in time for a postal or proxy vote – and, if planning to vote in person on the day, remember to take photographic ID with them.

The elections take place on Thursday 5 May, and polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. One-third of the council’s seats are up for election (17 of the total of 51), one in each of the borough’s 17 wards.

Letters are now being delivered to all households in the borough to ensure residents have all the information they need in good time.

Here are the key dates for May’s elections:

Registering to vote

You must be on the electoral register to vote. If you are not already on the electoral roll, the deadline for applying is midnight on Monday 17 April. To register, go to https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Postal vote

You can choose to vote by post. If you do not usually vote by post, you can apply for one by downloading a form here: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-post

You will need to return this form before 5pm on Tuesday 18 April. We will send you a ballot paper around two weeks before the day of the election. If you apply to vote by post, you will not be able to vote in person at a polling station.

Proxy vote

You can choose to vote by proxy, which allows someone you trust to vote on your behalf. You will need to request a proxy vote by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April. You can download a form here: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-proxy

Once you have provided us with the relevant information, your proxy will be able to go to the polling station and vote on your behalf.

Photographic identification

If you vote at a polling station this year, you will need to show identification which contains a photograph of you.

This also applies if you are voting on behalf of someone else.

You can use any of the following:

• Passport
• Driving licence (including provisional licence)
• Blue Badge
• Certain concessionary travel cards
• Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• Biometric immigration document
• Defence identity card
• Certain national identity cards

Remember – if you do not bring photographic ID, you will not be able to vote. The photographic ID must be in the name that you registered on the electoral register.

For further information about which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voterIDor call the helpline 0800 328 0280.

If you don’t have any of the photographic ID listed above, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate from the Government. To apply, go to https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificateor call the helpline 0800 328 0280.