Eligibility

The elections you can vote in depend on:

Citizenship

British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizens

If you hold British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizenship, you can vote in all elections that take place.

EU citizens

If you hold EU citizenship (other than the Republic of Ireland, Malta and Cyprus), you can vote in most elections that take place. You can’t vote in UK Parliamentary general elections.

Age

In England, you can vote in all elections when you’re 18.

Where you live

UK Parliamentary general elections and local council elections take place across the UK.

Some elections, however, only ever take place in certain areas.

If you live in London, you can vote in the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections.

In some parts of England, you can also vote for your Police and Crime Commissioner, and for your Mayor.

There are other registration options, including registering as a service voter, registering anonymously, and registering if you don’t have a fixed address.

Are you a student? Find out more here.

Who can’t vote

You will not be able to vote if you:

• are a convicted person detained in pursuance of your sentence, excluding contempt of court (though remand prisoners, unconvicted prisoners and civil prisoners can vote if they are on the electoral register). However, if you are normally resident in Scotland and are serving a combined sentence of 12 months or less anywhere in the UK, you are eligible to register and vote Scottish Parliament elections and council elections in Scotland
• have been found guilty within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal practices in connection with an election

Voting passport

A voting passport is an A4 sheet of paper to hand to polling staff so they easily can understand the reasonable adjustments needed to enable the person to vote.

The voting passport also allows voters to nominate an individual aged over 18, who they would like to support them to vote. They need to declare if this person is eligible to vote in the UK or not. If the supporter is not eligible to vote in the UK then they will need to work with the presiding officer to support the person to vote.

The back of the voting passport contains information on the law in order to debunk the myth a person can be prevented from voting on the grounds of a lack of mental capacity.

The Elections Act 2022 requires returning officers to “take all reasonable steps” to provide support for disabled voters at polling stations. This is designed to improve the range and quality of support available and speed up the process of providing additional support where needed. People voting and those supporting them have every right to ask for reasonable adjustments and they should stand firm if anyone says otherwise.

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote in the elections on 2 May is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April. You must also be registered to vote by 11:59pm on Tuesday 16 April.

Elections Act changes

There are changes to voting by proxy. The changes apply to:

• UK Parliament general elections, by-elections and recall petitions in England, Scotland and Wales
• Local elections in England
• Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales

You can apply online for some types of proxy vote and there are changes to how many people a voter can act as a proxy for.

The changes to the number of people you can act as a proxy for also applies at elections in Northern Ireland.

If you applied for a proxy vote before 31 October 2023, this expired on 31 January 2024 and you need to apply for a new one. 

Find out more about the changes to voting by proxy

Make sure you’re registered to vote

To vote in any election in the UK, you must be registered to vote. Find out if you’re eligible to register and how to apply

If you’re not sure if you already have a proxy vote, contact the electoral services team at your local council to find out.

Asking a trusted person to vote on your behalf

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote and the person casting your vote is often referred to as your proxy.

The person voting on your behalf can either go to your polling station to cast your vote, or can apply to vote on your behalf by post.

Find out how to vote by proxy

Provide a reason

When completing the application, you need to give a reason why you can’t get to your polling station in person.

This may be because you’re going to be on holiday, away with work, or are unable to get to your polling station on polling day due to a disability.

When applying for a new proxy vote, you must return your proxy vote application form by 5pm, six working days before the poll.

Complete an application

To apply for a proxy vote, you need to complete an application. If you’re applying to vote by proxy for a particular poll, you live overseas or you’re a service voter, you can apply online (Opens in new window).

The application includes instructions on how to fill it in correctly. You need to provide your date of birth, National Insurance number and signature on your application form.

You need to complete a new proxy vote application if you have moved house or changed your name.

You can choose to apply for a proxy vote for a particular election, a particular type of election, or all elections you are eligible to vote in. 

A proxy vote for a particular election

There are two ways to apply for a proxy vote for a particular election:

• Apply online through GOV.uk (Opens in new window)
• Download, print and complete the form to vote by proxy at a particular election (PDF)

A proxy vote for a particular type of election

If you want to apply for a proxy vote for a particular type of election only (for example, for council elections), you need to contact the electoral services team at your local council.

A permanent or long-term proxy vote

Use one of these forms if you won’t be able to go to the polling station for the foreseeable future, or a long period of time. 

The form you need to complete depends on the reason why you need a proxy vote.

• You have a disability (PDF)
• You are away on an educational course (PDF)
• You are away for work (PDF)
• You are registered as an overseas voter (PDF)
• You work overseas for the British Council or as a Crown servant (PDF)
• You are serving overseas in the Armed Forces (PDF)
• You are registered as an anonymous elector (PDF)

You can also apply online through GOV.uk (Opens in new window) if you live overseas or are a service voter.

Help with the application form

Help with the application 

If you need any support with your application, are unable to print the application form or need it in an accessible format, contact the electoral services team at your local council for help.

Where to send your completed form

Once you have completed the form and made sure you have signed it, you need to send it to the electoral services team at your local council.

You can send your form by post. The electoral services team at your local council may also accept a scanned copy of your form by email, but you should check with them first.

When changing or cancelling an existing proxy or postal proxy vote, your request must reach the electoral services team at your local council by 5pm, 11 working days before the poll.

Send your postal and proxy vote applications to your local electoral registration team. You can also contact them to find out if you’re on the electoral register, and if you already have a postal or proxy vote.

Stroud District Council
Electoral Registration Officer
Ebley Mill
Westward Road
Stroud
GL5 4UB

Phone:01453 754886

Email:elections@stroud.gov.uk

Website: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/ 

Postal proxy vote

If your trusted person can’t get to the polling station, they can apply to vote on your behalf by post. This is called a postal proxy vote.

The deadline to apply for a postal proxy vote is 5pm, 11 working days before the poll.

They will need to contact the electoral services team at your local council for more details and to request a further application form.

The deadline to apply for a postal proxy vote for elections taking place in England and Wales on Thursday 2 May is 5pm on Wednesday 17 April.

How to cancel your proxy vote

If you have nominated a proxy, but then change your mind and wish to vote yourself, then you have several options. 

One option is that you can apply to cancel your proxy vote. 

• In England and Wales contact your local council.
• In Scotland contact your electoral registration office.

The deadline to cancel a proxy vote in England, Scotland and Wales is 5pm, 11 working days before the election.

If a completed postal proxy vote has already been returned, the proxy arrangements cannot be cancelled for that election.

Another option is for you to vote in person. You can do this, as long as you do so before your proxy. This is not an option if your proxy has already voted by post on your behalf.

Alternatively, you can apply for a postal vote. The deadline to do so is 5pm, 11 working days before the election you will be voting in. This postal application will then cancel your application to vote by proxy.

In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that means you can’t vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy.

This must be something that you weren’t aware of before the normal proxy vote deadline.

You have a medical emergency (PDF)

You are away for work (PDF)

Your photo ID is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged (PDF) after the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate has passed and you want to vote in an election which requires photo ID. This form can also be used if your Anonymous Elector’s Document is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged.

These applications can be made up to 5pm on polling day.

Completing your nomination papers

To become nominated as a candidate at a parish council election in England, you need to submit a completed set of nomination papers to the place fixed by the Returning Officer (RO) by 4pm, 19 working days before the poll.1   

This deadline is set out in law and cannot be changed for any reason.

The start date from which you will be able to submit nomination papers, as well as the times and place for delivery, will be set out in the notice of election published by the local RO.2
  
There are three nomination papers that you must submit to make your nomination valid:3

• the nomination form
• a home address form
• your consent to nomination

The RO can hold your nomination paper invalid if the particulars of your nomination are not as required by law.  The RO can also reject your nomination if they conclude that it is clearly a sham, for example, if an obviously fictitious name is provided.

You can obtain nomination papers from the local elections office. Contact details can be obtained from our website https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter alternatively, the Commission has produced a set of nomination papers that you could use.

Nomination papers – Parish Elections England (on or after 2 May 2024) (DOCX)

If you or someone you trust are unable to complete the nomination form, the RO can help by preparing the form for your signature.4
 
The RO may also be able to offer informal checks of your completed nomination papers before you submit them. You should find out from the Returning Officer whether they plan to offer informal checks.

Note that any information you provide on your nomination papers must be true to the best of your knowledge. It is an offence to provide a false statement on your nomination papers. Providing a false statement could invalidate your election, and is also punishable by an unlimited fine and/or imprisonment.5

Further information on the Nomination process can be found here.

• 1. Rule 1, Schedule 2, Local Elections (Parish and Communities) (England and Wales) Rules 2006 (LE(P&C)R 2006)↩Back to content at footnote 1
• 2. Rule 3(1)(a), Schedule 2, LE(P&C)R 2006↩Back to content at footnote 2
• 3. Rule 4, LE(P&C)R 2006↩Back to content at footnote 3
• 4. Rule 6(4)(b), LE(P&C)R 2006↩Back to content at footnote 4
• 5. Section 65A Representation of the People Act (RPA) 1983

Who can be a councillor?

We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect the communities they serve to put themselves forward for election. You don’t need any experience or special qualifications. Your life experience, everyday skills, passion and commitment to people and communities are vital, and it’s important that councils reflect the local population. 

To be a councillor you need to be:  

• British or a citizen of the Commonwealth. You may also be eligible as a citizen of the European Union, however the criteria has changed now that the UK has left the European Union. Please check on the gov.uk website for advice about EU citizens’ voting and candidacy rights in local elections.
• At least 18 years old.
• Registered to vote in the area or have lived, worked, or owned property there for at least 12 months before an election.

You can’t be a councillor if you:  

• Work for the council you want to be a councillor for, you can work for another local authority as long as you are not in a political restricted post.
• Are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order.
• Have been sentenced to prison for three months or more (including suspended sentences) during the five years before election day.
• Have been convicted of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court.
• Are subject to any relevant notification requirements, or a relevant order, in respect of a sexual offence.

Please read the full eligibility criteria from the Electoral Commission. If you are in any doubt about whether you are eligible to stand as a councillor, you should contact the Electoral Services or Democratic Services team at your local council or the Electoral Commission for advice.

Do I need any skills, experience or special qualifications?

There are a number of useful skills which help councillors carry out their role. However, you will receive training and become more experienced and confident once elected. There can be a steep learning curve, but it is worth it for what you can achieve for your community. 

Some useful skills for being a councillor include: 

• being a leader in your community 
• having good communication skills 
• partnership and team working 
• problem solving, questioning and analytical skills 
• being flexible, adaptable and open-minded 
• being organised and having good time management 
• having political understanding.

You can read more about the role and skills for councillors in the Political Skills Framework and the 21st Century Councillor as well as accessing our resources and Improving Access to Elected Office guidebook for disabled people for further support 

Can I have a job and be a councillor? 

By law, if you are working, your employer must allow you to take a reasonable amount of time off during working hours to perform your duties as a councillor. The amount of time given will depend on your responsibilities and the effect of your absence on your employer’s business. Employers can choose to pay you for this time, but they don’t have to.  

We would encourage you to discuss as soon as possible with your employer before making the commitment to stand for election. 

Many employers are supportive and understand the importance, value and mutual benefits of their employees contributing to the community in this way.   

There are many benefits to both employee and employer – practical work experience, skills and knowledge which can be transferred into any workplace, and the role can be career-enhancing.   

Being a councillor provides:  

• Practical work experience: council work is incredibly varied (as councils run up to 800 services) and links to all aspects of our life and therefore all types of employment.   
• New skills: such as leadership skills, communication skills, reading reports, influencing skills and speaking at meetings or events.  
• Knowledge: about the local community, how councils, government and the wider public sector works; as well as topics from culture and biodiversity, mental and physical health, to finance and budgets.  
• Confidence: gained through new experiences, challenges and achievements for the local area.

How do I become a councillor?

Find out when your next local government elections are by checking your local council website or contacting the Democratic Services team. You can check which council you come under on the gov.uk ‘Find My Council’ page. Make sure you are registered on the electoral roll by contacting the Electoral Services team at your council. 

Don’t be discouraged if the next elections are a long way away – there is plenty to do and learn on the journey to becoming a councillor. Starting early will help to understand the processes of standing for election and learn more about local government to hit the ground running if elected.   

If you are interested in becoming an independent candidate (not in a political party), you can get resources and advice from the Local Government Association’s Independent Office, their Be a Councillor resources and Campaign Corner. As an independent, you will also need to start working out your views on local issues and services. 

To stand for a political party, you’ll need to be a member of the party, get involved locally and go through their selection process to be put forward as their candidate for election. You can find out more on each party’s website. Depending on which party you are interested in, this can take up to about a year, so please contact your political party as soon as you can to start getting involved.  

To become nominated as a candidate you usually need to submit a completed set of nomination papers to your council by 4pm on the 19th working day before the election. However, please contact the Democratic Services team at your council to get the necessary paperwork, confirm the deadlines, and find out what help they can give you to submit your papers correctly. 

You will need to get the signature of ten registered electors from the ward you wish to stand in. They must be of voting age and must appear on the local government electoral register that is in force on the 25th working day before the election. 

Additionally, you may want to consider: 

• having an informal chat with a councillor to find out more about the role 
• attending council meetings and other local events to find out more about local government 
• getting involved with organisations such as Elect Her, My Life My Say, Operation Black Vote, Shout Out UK, 50:50 Parliament and the Disability Policy Centre for support, events and networking 
• read the guidance from the Electoral Commission about the process of standing for election and forms to fill out.
• reading additional detail from disabled councillors about campaigning as a disabled person in our Improving Access to Elected Office guidebook.