Tuesday marks the final opportunity for anyone who wishes to register to vote in the local elections taking place in May. Councillors and mayors will be elected in some parts of England, while in others the electorate will choose the Mayor of London, London Assembly members, and a total of ten mayors from outside the capital. In addition, police and crime commissioners (PCCs) will also be elected in both England and Wales. Meanwhile, voters in Blackpool South will choose a new MP following the resignation of former Conservative MP, Scott Benton. No elections will take place in Northern Ireland or Scotland.
There are three ways to cast a vote: individuals must be aged 18 or above; registered at an address in the region for which they wish to vote; and must be either a British citizen, an Irish or EU citizen, or an eligible Commonwealth citizen. Individuals voting for councillors generally have one vote per available seat in their election area, while whoever obtains the most votes will win. Mayors and PCCs will be elected using the first-past-the-post system.
For those who wish to vote in person in England and Wales, the registration deadline is 23:59 BST on Tuesday 16 April. This can be done online by providing a National Insurance number or by contacting the relevant council’s electoral registration office. Those who are already registered to vote must request a postal vote by 5 pm on Wednesday 17 April or apply for a proxy vote by the same time on Wednesday 24 April. Those who have applied for a proxy vote before 31 October 2023 should note that it is has now expired so they must reapply.
Voters will need to provide a form of acceptable photo ID to vote in person, with 22 options available including passports and driving licences. Anyone who has registered to vote without appropriate ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate free of charge before 24 April.
Local councils have responsibility for numerous public services including the provision of care services for the elderly and disabled, pothole repair and rubbish collection. Many are currently experiencing a funding crisis which has led to an increase in council tax rates. In 2023, five English councils declared themselves as effectively bankrupt, including Birmingham, the country’s largest authority. One fifth of English councils warned that they too are in danger of going bankrupt, demonstrating the impact of successive funding cuts in the last ten years.
Finally, the May elections will also be the final chance for the current Westminster government to check its popularity before the next general election, scheduled for 28 January 2025
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