Where are elections taking place?
Elections are taking place to elect 23 local councils and six mayors across England.
Voters in the Westminster constituency of Runcorn and Helsby are also voting for a new MP on the same day.
Roughly a third of eligible voters in England can vote in elections this Thursday.
Remember to bring your photo ID to vote
In 2023, the government introduced a new condition for elections, which now requires individuals to show a valid photo ID when voting at polling stations.
To vote in the local elections on Thursday, you will need an original version of accepted ID.
Richard Wood, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Headway - the brain injury association, said:
“We're encouraging you to make sure you have the correct ID to protect your right to vote.
“Accepted forms of ID include a UK driving licence, certain passports or a blue badge. A full list of accepted forms of ID can be found on the Electoral Commission website.”
If you do not have any form of ID listed, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. However, please note that the deadline to apply for this election has now passed.
What happens if I can’t vote on the day?
While the deadlines for proxy voting and postal voting have passed, there is still a way to vote by proxy if you have a last minute-emergency and can’t vote in person. In this case, you may be able to apply for an emergency proxy.
This is only allowed if the issue came up after the usual proxy deadline (5pm, six working days before the election). You can apply for an emergency proxy until 5pm on polling day.
You may qualify if:
- You have a medical emergency
- You’re away for work
- Your photo ID is lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed after the voter ID deadline
To apply for an emergency proxy or get more information, please reach out to your local council's electoral services team here.
Back