19
April
2024
|
10:51
Europe/London

Voting in elections on 2 May: Important information

Registration has now closed for the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections on 2 May, and for the council by-election in the Frognal ward on the same day, following the resignation of Councillor Gio Spinella.

To help you prepare for polling day on Thursday 2 May, we’ve put together this information to help answer any questions you might have.

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

Voter Authority Certificate if you do not have photo ID

A Voter Authority Certificate is a free photographic identification document specific for the purpose of voting. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for the elections on Thursday 2 May has passed, but you can still apply for a Voter Authority Certificate on the Gov.uk website for future elections. 

Voter ID FAQs

Proxy vote

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote for the elections on Thursday 2 May has passed, but you can still apply to vote by proxy on the Gov.uk website for future elections. They 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.

Postal vote

The deadline to register to vote by post for these elections has passed. If you have registered to vote by post, your postal vote packs have been sent out.

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 collection 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.

The elections

There are three separate elections taking place on Thursday 2 May across Camden:

  • The Mayor of London  
  • London Assembly members that represent London’s 14 constituencies (14 members) – Barnet and Camden form one constituency and will elect one constituency member
  • London Assembly members that represent the whole of London (11 members)

View the lists of candidates and more information about the elections on the London Elects website

In addition, there is a council by-election taking place in the Frognal ward on the same day if you live there.

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

Ballot papers

There will be three ballot papers for the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections:

  • The Mayor of London ballot paper will be pink
  • The Constituency Member ballot paper will be yellow
  • The London-wide Member ballot paper will be orange.

In the Mayor of London election, voters can now make one choice only. There are no changes to London Assembly elections, where you vote for one Constituency Member candidate and one London-wide Member candidate. 

If you live in the Frognal ward, there will be an additional ballot paper for voting in the council by-election. The ballot paper will be lilac.  

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 nearest polling station on the back of your poll card. If you do not have your poll card, you can find your polling station online at wheredoivote.co.uk

Please note that four polling stations have changed:

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.

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 by 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.

Dogs in polling stations

Dogs are allowed into many of our polling stations. However, it is at the building owner’s discretion. If there is clear signage in place that states dogs are not allowed, then we ask that you respect these wishes. Guide and assistance dogs are exempt from these rules and are allowed into all polling stations.

Photo policy

We ask that you refrain from taking photos inside polling stations, this is to ensure that you do not break strict laws around the secrecy of the ballot. However, you are welcome to take photos outside our polling stations if you’re excited to share them with friends and family over social media.

Results

The Mayor of London and London Assembly elections votes will be verified on Friday 3 May and counted on Saturday 4 May, with the results expected later on Saturday.   

The Frognal ward by-election votes will be verified and counted on Friday 3 May, with the result also expected on Friday.  

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 free Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline for applying for a Voter Authority Certificate for the elections on Thursday 2 May has passed, but you can still apply for a Voter Authority Certificate on the Gov.uk website for future elections. 

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, which was 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.