Elections 2026
Borough Elections were held on Thursday 7th May 2026.
Click here view the results
Registering to vote
You can register to vote at any time of the year. It’s quick and easy to do so – it only takes a few minutes.
How do I register?
- Go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
- Fill in your name, address, date of birth and a few other details. You’ll also need your national insurance number, which can be found on your national insurance card, or in official paperwork such as payslips, or letters about benefits or tax credits.
- Look out for a confirmation to say you’re registered
Postal votes
Voting by post is an easy and convenient way of voting if you are unable to get to the polling station. You can apply for a postal vote online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.
As part of your application, you will be required to provide your:
- Date of Birth
- National Insurance Number – your identity will be verified against records held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). If this identity check fails we will ask you to provide evidence of your identity.
- Upload a photo or scanned copy of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.
If you are unable to apply using the online application process please contact Electoral Services for a paper application on 01282 477261/477263. You must apply by 5.00 p.m. 11 working days before polling day.
Find out more about postal voting.
Proxy votes
Voting by proxy is a convenient way of voting if you are unable to get to a polling station. By proxy just means that you can appoint someone you trust to go and vote on your behalf.
Voting by proxy can be useful if you fall ill and are unable to get to the polling station on election day, or if you are abroad during an election. It can be particularly useful if you are overseas in a country too far away to send back a postal vote in time for the election.
Find out more about proxy voting
Voter ID
Voters have to show photo ID at the polling station before their ballot paper is issued. You can check what ID is accepted
If you do not have a type of photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
Polling stations
If you are voting in person on polling day you must go to the polling station assigned to you. This can be found on the polling card that will be sent to you shortly before polling day.
Or you can find out online now by simply entering your postcode.