Contents
- Voter ID
- Voting systems
- Register to vote
- Who can vote on polling day
- Excluded from voting
- On Polling Day
Voter ID
In 2022, the UK Government introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections. If you do not provide photographic identity when you go to vote, you will not be issued with a ballot paper.
Which forms of ID can I use to vote?
You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:
• Passport
• Driving licence (including provisional license)
• Blue badge
• Certain concessionary travel cards
• Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• Biometric Immigration document
• Defence identity card
• Certain national identity cards
For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, click here.
If you don’t have an accepted form photo ID
If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate here.
Voting systems
Elections to become an Elected Mayor use the first past the post voting system. Voters cast their vote for a candidate of their choice – or candidates where more than one seat is up for election on the same ballot paper - and the candidate/s with the most votes is/are declared elected.
Register to vote
If you want to vote in this Election, you must be on the electoral register.
If you are not already registered, you can register here. The last day for you to register for this Election is midnight on 11 April.
Who can vote on polling day
Different polls have different voter franchises. For the most up to date list on who can vote in different elections, visit the here.
For local and Mayoral elections in England, you must be:
- Registered to vote
- 18 or over on 1 May 2025
- Be a British or an Irish citizen
You can also register if you have permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man - or you do not need permission - and you’re a:
- Commonwealth citizen
- citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain
- citizen of another EU country, if you have had permission to enter or stay - or not needed permission - since 31 December 2020, and this has continued without a break
Excluded from voting
The following groups are legally excluded from voting in local elections in England:
- a convicted person (though remand prisoners, as yet unconvicted prisoners and civil prisoners can vote if they are on the electoral register).
- have been found guilty within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal practices in connection with an election.
On Polling Day
- Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.
- You can only cast your vote at the polling station you are registered at. The details will be printed on your poll card letter.
- You don’t need your poll card letter with you to be able to vote, but it does speed the process up.
- Make sure to check your poll card letter for any changes to your usual polling station location.
If you are in a queue to vote at a polling station by 10pm, you will still be able to vote past that time. The polling station team will close the queue at 10pm, but still allow everyone who arrived while the queue was open to cast their vote.