Important information issued ahead of local Leeds and regional elections

Leeds City Council has issued important information and reminders for all voters to be aware of ahead of this year’s local and regional elections in May.

Voting for seats on Leeds City Council and for the regional Mayor of West Yorkshire takes place on Thursday 2 May. Voters are advised that for those wishing to vote in these elections in person at a polling station on election day will need to show a valid form of Voter ID, as the system introduced at last year’s local elections continues.

Guidance on what forms of identification will be accepted and how to apply for a new free Voter ID can be seen at Voter photo ID (leeds.gov.uk).  As with last year, all community hubs and libraries in Leeds will be able to help voters complete the application form including having a photo taken. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (free voter ID) is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.

The need to show Voter ID only applies to those who wish to vote in person at a polling station or through a proxy in person, it does not affect those who vote by post.

The first step in the voting process is being registered to vote. The deadline to do so is midnight on Tuesday 16 April. This includes anyone who has moved home and needs to register at their new address. Registration takes just five minutes and can be completed online at Register to vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

The next step is choosing which method to use to vote, either in person, by post, or by appointing someone trusted to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote.

To vote in person, an accepted form of Voter ID will be needed and shown at the polling station.

Poll cards for everyone currently registered to vote in Leeds will be posted out from March 25 onwards. Residents are being asked to check the details on their poll cards when they arrive to ensure they are correct, and also to note the location of their polling station which may have changed.

Postal poll cards will also be sent to anyone currently registered to vote by post, followed by postal ballot packs which will be issued from around 18 April. Anyone wishing to vote this way can apply to do so via https://www.leeds.gov.uk/your-council/elections/postal-voting. The deadline for applications for postal voting is 5pm on Tuesday 18 April, and the next reminder is for postal voters to send their completed postal vote back as early as possible to help manage demand.

Another option available is to vote by proxy, which can be applied for via www.leeds.gov.uk/elections. The deadline for applications to vote by proxy is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April. 

All voters are advised to read the information sent through to them carefully when it arrives, as there are numerous changes being introduced at these elections which are explained in full, especially for anyone looking to hand in completed votes on behalf of other people.

Elections Returning Officer and chief executive of Leeds City Council Tom Riordan said:

“As we get ready to head into another pre-election period, it is important everyone who wishes to vote is registered to do and has chosen their method of voting. There are some important changes this year voters will need to read the guidance when it arrives to be fully aware of, and also we wish to remind everyone wanting to vote in person on election day they will need to have an accepted form of ID with them to show at the polling station or they will be turned away.

“We encourage everyone who can vote to exercise their democratic right to do so and have their say.”

For more information on the changes in place for this year’s elections visit the Electoral Commission’s website at Home Page | Electoral Commission.

Notes to editors:

Timeline of key dates ahead of Leeds City Council and regional Mayor of West Yorkshire elections 2024:

• - Monday 25 March: Official pre-election period begins
• - From w/c Monday 25 March: Poll cards posted to all registered electors in Leeds
• - Friday 5 April: List of candidates standing in this year’s elections published
• - Midnight on Tuesday 16 April: Deadline for registering to vote
• - 5pm on Wednesday 17 April: Deadline for applications for postal voting
• - Thursday 18 April: Postal vote packs start being delivered to voters
• - 5pm on Wednesday 24 April: Deadline for applications for Voter Authority Certificate (the photo ID to be able to vote in person at a polling station)
• - 5pm on Wednesday 24 April: Deadline for applications to vote by proxy
• - Thursday 2 May (7am-10pm): Election day
• - Friday 3 May: Votes counted and results declared for Leeds City Council seats
• - Saturday 4 May: Votes counted and result declared for Mayor of West Yorkshire

It will be a requirement at polling stations on election day to establish the identity of all voters using one of the accepted forms of photo ID. It may be necessary for polling officials to ask voters to remove face coverings in order to verify their identity. Privacy booths will be available at all polling stations, with a choice of a male or female official to carry out the check.

The Leeds elections team can be contacted to address any issues using the helpline at 0113 222 4411 or by emailing electors@leeds.gov.uk.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 6007