The local elections are coming up on Thursday 4 May. Your local council has an impact on many of the services you see and use every day and this is your opportunity to vote for the representatives who will make decisions on important local issues.

New rules mean eligible voters must bring a photo ID when voting in person.

Photo ID includes a passport, driving license or one of the other documents listed on the Electoral Commission website. If you don’t have any photo ID, you can register for a free voter ID document called a Voter Authority Certificate – but you must do this by Tuesday 25 April.

Register or find out more about voter ID on the Electoral Commission website.

When and where can I vote?

Polling stations will be open from 7am-10pm on Thursday 4 May, for you to vote in person.

If you are eligible and you have registered to vote, you should receive a poll card telling you when to vote and at which polling station. You do not have to take your poll card with you, but you must bring your photo ID.

If you’re a student living away from home in the UK and have registered to vote at both addresses, you can choose to vote wherever you are at the time of the election – home or university (but not both as you can only vote once). There is specific guidance for voting as a student on the Electoral Commission website.

Further information about the local elections

Take a look at the Electoral Commission website which will have all the information you need about voting in the local elections.

You can also check out further advice and guidance about the local elections on the Student Hub.