Postal vote pack guidance issued ahead of local Leeds City Council election

Postal vote packs in Leeds are now being sent out to voters to complete as part of the forthcoming local elections. 

All those registered to vote by post will be receiving their postal vote packs imminently, and are being encouraged to complete and return them as soon as possible ahead of the Leeds City Council election on Thursday 7 May. 

Electors are asked to carefully read the instructions on the voting packs and return them using the pre-paid envelope via Royal Mail. A video showing how to complete the pack can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJIxy85ni2A.

Any postal voters who are unable to post their vote and choose to return it by hand instead are reminded they can only be handed in at a polling station or at the electoral services office at Leeds Civic Hall, LS1 1UR. No other council offices will be able to accept votes. 

Those looking to vote at a polling station on election day are reminded they will need to show a valid form of Voter ID.  Guidance on what forms of identification will be accepted and how to apply for a new free Voter ID can be seen at https://www.leeds.gov.uk/elections/voter-id.

For those who do not have an accepted form of ID, 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 Tuesday 28 April. 

Another option available is to vote by proxy, which can be applied for via https://www.leeds.gov.uk/elections. The deadline for applications to vote by proxy is also 5pm on Tuesday 28 April. 

Regardless of the voting method chosen, a key element of the electoral process is to follow the national guidance around ‘Your vote is yours alone’, with help and support available for anyone by calling or 0800 555 111 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously via https://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

The election day in Leeds followed by counting and results being declared the following day, Friday 8 May, will see 36 councillors securing seats on Leeds City Council. This will be made up one councillor at all 33 ward areas in the city, along with further seats being contested to fill vacancies in Adel and Wharfedale, Morley North and Temple Newsam. In these three wards, the winner and the second-placed candidate will secure places on the council.   

To see the list of candidates standing in each ward visit https://www.leeds.gov.uk/elections/leeds-city-council-elections.

Electoral Registration Officer and chief executive of Leeds City Council Ed Whiting said: 

“With the election now only a fortnight away, it is important everyone who is registered to vote and intends to do so has done what they need to do. For postal voters, that means carefully following the instructions and returning completed postal vote packs as quickly as possible to help our team manage the demand. 

“For those intending to vote at a polling station check to ensure you have an accepted form of ID and if you don’t head to your local library or community hub where they will help you before the deadline of 5pm on Tuesday 28 April. For any issues please get in touch with us quickly as possible.” 

To discuss any questions or issues on the election process contact the Leeds elections team using the helpline at 0113 222 4411 or by emailing electors@leeds.gov.uk. 

Notes to editors: Timeline of key remaining dates ahead of Leeds City Council election 2026: 

• 5pm on Tuesday 28 April: Deadline for applications for Voter Authority Certificate (the photo ID to be able to vote in person at a polling station)
• 5pm on Tuesday 28 April: Deadline for applications to vote by proxy
• Thursday 7 May (7am-10pm): Election day
• From 10am on Friday 8 May: Votes counted and results declared

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. 

ENDS 

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 6007