West Hampstead by-election 28 August: Important information
A by-election is being held in the West Hampstead ward on Thursday 28 August. Residents will be required to present photo ID when voting in person at their Polling Station.
If you live in the West Hampstead ward, there is still time to check you have a form of accepted photographic ID needed to vote in person, or to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if you do not.
The deadlines for registering to vote and to vote by post have passed.
The by-election result is expected to be announced on Friday 29 August.
We have put together the following information to help you prepare for polling day if you live in West Hampstead. You can check if your address is in the West Hampstead ward here.
Eligibility
You need to be registered to vote and aged 18 or over on the day of the election. The deadline to register to vote for these elections was 11.59pm on Monday 11 August.
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, you can now only register to vote in local elections, including council elections, if you’re a British or Irish citizen, or you have permission to enter or stay in the UK – or you don’t need permission – and you’re a:
- Commonwealth citizen
- Citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain
- Citizen of any other 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.
Find out more about eligibility for elections on the GOV.UK website
Voter ID
If you vote at a polling station, you will need to show accepted photo ID. 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. Your name on your ID should be the same name you used to register.
Accepted forms of photo ID include:
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Blue Badge
- Oyster 60+ card
- Freedom Pass
- Proof of Age (PASS) card
Check the full list of accepted ID on GOV.UK website
Voter ID FAQs
Voter ID resources in accessible formats
Postal vote
The deadline to apply to vote by post for these elections has passed. If you registered to vote by post, your postal vote pack has been sent out.
Postal votes will only be counted if they are returned before 10pm on Thursday 28 August.
Find your nearest Royal Mail post box and collection times
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 the ward or Camden Town Hall (Judd Street, WC1H 9JE) until 10pm on Thursday 28 August. You can also hand it in to Camden Town Hall from 9.30am to 5.00pm on other weekdays in the lead up to the election.
A form will need to be completed if you hand in a postal vote. Please do not put postal votes in any of the council offices letter boxes or they will be rejected.
If you have lost or damaged your postal vote, a replacement can be issued until 5pm on Thursday 28 August. Please email Electoral Services at electoral.services@camden.gov.uk or call 020 7974 4444.
Proxy vote
The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on the 19 August 2025 and these can be made at www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote. After this date 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 electoral.services@camden.gov.uk or call 020 974 4444 before 5pm on Thursday 28 August.
Candidates standing in your area
View the lists of candidates for the by-elections on our website
Check your ward on our website or on your poll card.
Polling day
Polling stations
Polls open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 28 August. As long as you are in the polling station queue by 10pm you will still be allowed to vote. You can find your polling station on our website or on your poll card.
Lost poll card
You do not need your poll card to vote on polling day. As long as you registered to vote by the deadline, 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.
Accessibility at our polling stations
All polling stations in Camden have disabled access. However, if you require extra help, there are staff at all 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.
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 make sure that you do not break strict laws around the secrecy of the ballot. However, you are welcome to take photos outside our polling stations.
Voter ID FAQs
What if my appearance has changed on my photo ID?
If you look 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 – 5pm on Tuesday 19 August.
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 electoral.services@camden.gov.uk
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 electoral.services@camden.gov.uk
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.
Voter ID resources in accessible formats
Visit the Electoral Commission website to download:
Visit the Electoral Commission's YouTube channel to watch: BSL guide to voter ID.
View Voter Authority Certificate: an easy read guide on the GOV.UK website.