Make sure you check your polling card for details on how to vote
Thousands of people across the country are expected to vote this year as part of the 2025 local elections.
These elections will give voters an important opportunity to decide who they want to run their local services.
This will see many voters heading down to their local polling station from between 7am and 10pm on May 1, to cast their vote.
It will be the first time that voters have headed to the polls since the general election last year, which took place on Thursday 1 May.
It is therefore important to check that you are confident that you have met all key requirements, and have everything on you that you need to be able to vote, before going down to the polling station.
First it is important to ensure that you have registered to vote. You can no longer register to vote for the local elections taking place May 1, but you can still register for future elections.
Before voting, it is important to check the poll card that you will have received before election day, as it will provide important details for making sure you vote correctly.
All voters should have received a poll card before election day, which explains when to vote and at which polling station.
It is important to check this card before going down to a polling station, as you are only able to vote at the station detailed on the card.
Any eligible voter that does not receive a poll card, but think they should have done, should contact the electoral registration office for more information and assistance.
While it is essential that you cast your vote at the correct polling station, voters do not need to take their polling card with them to cast their ballot.
Instead, voters should provide staff at the polling station with their name and address, as well as a form of valid photo ID.
Bringing photo ID is a newly introduced requirement for voting in elections. You can find more details on what forms of ID are acceptable to use here.
Voters will then be given their ballot paper containing a list of people, parties and options that they can vote for.
It is essential that all voters follow all election rules whilst in the polling station, otherwise they risk spoiling their ballot, or even facing fines and additional consequences.
