Frognal by-election: Important information

Following the resignation of Councillor Gio Spinella, a by-election will take place in the Frognal ward on Thursday 2 May, the same day as the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections.

Residents will need to show photo ID when voting in person at their polling station, or apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if they don’t have photo ID.

View a map of the Frognal ward (PDF)
View the list of candidates (PDF)

The by-election result is expected to be announced on Friday 3 May. 

If you are not registered to vote, you have until midnight on Tuesday 16 April. To register, visit the Gov.uk website or call our Electoral Services team on 020 7974 4444.

Once you have registered to vote you can also apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, or a postal or proxy vote.  

Photo ID

You now need photo ID to vote at a polling station. You must bring the original document – copies or electronic versions cannot be accepted. You can use expired ID as long as you still look like the photo. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote. Accepted forms of photo ID include:

• Passport issued in the UK, a European Economic Area (EEA) country or a Commonwealth country   
• Driving licence issued in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA country  
• National identity card issued by an EEA country
• Biometric residence permit
• Blue Badge
• Some travel passes
• Proof of Age (PASS) card

Check the full list of accepted photo ID.

If you don’t have accepted ID, apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate on the Gov.uk website by 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.

If you need a paper application for a Voter Authority Certificate, call Electoral Services on 020 7974 4444 or drop into a Camden library, where staff will be able to help you complete the form. 

Postal vote

If you apply to vote by post, your ballot paper will be sent to you approximately 10 days before the election, and included with your ballot will be instructions on how to vote and return the ballot back to us in time.

You can apply to vote by post on the Gov.uk website. You will need to provide your National Insurance number or other identity document, address and signature, which will be used to verify your identity. To prevent fraud, you need to provide your signature when you use your postal vote.

You can still apply for a postal vote by completing a paper application form, which you can also request by emailing [email protected] or by calling 020 7974 4444.

You can email a clear scanned copy of your completed application form to [email protected], or send it by post to: 
 
Electoral Services 
London Borough Of Camden 
Town Hall 
Judd Street 
London  
WC1H 9JE 

Postal vote applications need to be completed and returned to us by 5pm on Tuesday 17 April.

Postal votes will only be counted if they are returned before 10pm on Thursday 2 May.

Royal Mail have priority postboxes available throughout Camden with extra collections times, including on Saturdays. Find your nearest postbox

If you are concerned that your postal vote might not arrive in time, you can hand it in in person at any polling station in Camden or Camden Town Hall (Judd Street, WC1H 9JE) until 10pm on Thursday 2 May. You can also hand it in to Camden Town Hall from 9.30am to 5.30pm on other weekdays in the lead-up to the election. 

A form will need to be completed. Please do not put postal votes in any of the council offices letter boxes or they will be rejected.

Vote by proxy

If you’re going to be away from home or unable to make it to your polling station because of work or a medical issue or disability, an appointed person can vote on your behalf. This is called proxy voting. The person you choose can be a friend or a relative.

Your appointed proxy will need to cast your vote at your designated polling station and your proxy must be registered to vote and eligible to vote at the election.

You can apply for a proxy vote on the Gov.uk website. 

You will need to provide your National Insurance number or other identity document, your signature, and the address and contact details of your proxy.  

You can also apply with a paper application form and email a scan of it to [email protected] or by calling 020 7974 4444.

Proxy vote applications will need to be completed and returned to us by 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.

Voter ID FAQs

What if my appearance has changed on my photo ID?

If you look totally different on your ID, we recommend that you apply for a Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline to prevent you from not being able to vote.

Can I use a poll card as ID?

No, it must be an accepted form of photo ID. Check the full list.

Can I get a Voter Authority Certificate on the day?

No, applications for Voter Authority Certificates will not be accepted after the deadline at 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.

My name is different on my photo ID to the electoral register – what should I do?

If you in any doubt about whether your identification will be accepted, please contact [email protected]. 

I don’t want to risk losing my ID – can I bring a photocopy?

Whatever form of ID you bring must be the original. Copies or electronic versions cannot be accepted.

What if I lose my Voter Authority Certificate?

We recommend you keep your Voter Authority Certificate as safe as you would any other form of official identification. However, if this happens, please contact [email protected] 

Can I use an expired photo ID?

Yes, as long as you still look like the photo and it is an accepted form of ID.  

My passport or driving licence show the wrong address, will it be accepted?

Yes, as long as you still look like the photo. The photo ID is to check your identity, not your address.

I would like my identity checked in private, is this possible?

Yes, all polling stations will have procedures in place for voters who wish to have their identity checked in private.

More information about voting

Polling station opening times

Polls open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 2 May. As long as you are in the polling station queue by 10pm, you will still be allowed to vote.

You can find directions to your polling station on the back of your poll card. If you do not have your poll card, find your polling station.

Accessibility at our polling stations

All polling stations in Camden have disabled access. However, if you require extra help, there are staff at all of our polling stations who are ready to assist you.

This could be help accessing the polling station or the use of specially designed tools to help you cast your vote. Alternatively, you can choose a companion to come along to the polling station with you to help you cast your vote. The presiding officer at the station will be able to help you with this on polling day.

Emergency proxy votes

There may be certain circumstances where you must attend to an emergency on polling day and cannot vote in person. Under these circumstances, an emergency proxy vote may be available to you.

Please contact [email protected] or call 020 7974 4444 before 5pm on polling day.

Proxy voting limits

You are only able to act as a proxy for up to 2 people living in the UK, or a maximum of 4 people with 2 living in the UK and 2 people registered as living overseas.

Lost or spoiled postal votes

If you have lost or damaged your postal vote, a replacement can be issued until 5pm on Thursday 2 May. Please email Electoral Services at [email protected] or call 020 7974 4444.

Lost poll card

You do not need your poll card to vote on Thursday 2 May. As long as you registered to vote before midnight on Tuesday 16 April, your name will be on the electoral register. Simply arrive at your polling station, let the staff know your name and address and show your photo ID.