Local elections in the North East take place next month and it might be your first time voting or you may just need a refresher about how voting in local elections works.

Local elections take place every four years and there are different ways you can vote, but it’s important to remember you must be registered to do so by April 17 at 11:59pm.

As your local council greatly influences the services provided within the community, local elections give you the chance to choose who you want to make those decisions.

Here is everything you need to know about voting at a polling station, voting by post and voting by proxy in the North East local elections 2023.

You can find out about registering to vote in local elections here.

How to vote in the North East local elections

Vote in person at a polling station

You can vote in person at a polling station which usually takes place in a public building such as a school, library or local hall.

Before the local elections on May 4, you should be sent a poll card just before an election telling you when to vote and at which polling station.

You can only vote at the polling station location on your card, but you don’t need to take your poll card with you.

If you have not received a poll card but think you should, contact your local Electoral Registration Office.

This year, people voting in at polling stations in local elections will need to show voter ID.

The Northern Echo: Voting at a polling station in the local elections is just one of a few ways you can voteVoting at a polling station in the local elections is just one of a few ways you can vote (Image: Rui Vieira/PA Wire/PA Images)

When can you vote at a polling station?

The polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on May 4.

Find out more information about voting at a polling station here.

Voting by post in the North East local elections

You can apply for a postal vote if you want to vote by post and you’re away from home or you’re abroad and want to vote.

How do I apply for a postal vote?

Fill out a form on the GOV.UK website to apply to vote by post. You will need to send the completed form to your local Electoral Registration Office which can be found here.

How do I complete and return my postal vote?

When voting by post, you should:

  • mark your vote on your ballot paper in secret
  • fill in the postal voting statement
  • put the ballot and statement in the envelope provided
  • seal the envelope yourself

Find out more information about voting by post here.

The Northern Echo: If you can't vote in person, you can vote by post for the local electionIf you can't vote in person, you can vote by post for the local election (Image: Canva)

Voting by proxy in the North East local elections

Voting by proxy is also known as asking another person to vote for you on your behalf.

According to GOV.UK you can only apply for a proxy vote under certain circumstances, including:

  • being away on polling day
  • having a medical issue or disability
  • not being able to vote in person because of work or military service

You can ask anyone to act as your proxy, as long as they are registered to vote and it’s for a type of election they’re allowed to vote in.

The person you choose will need to take their own photo ID. 

How do I apply for a proxy vote?

Usually, you need to apply for a proxy vote at least six working days before election day in England.

There are different forms to choose from on the GOV.UK website when applying for a proxy vote, depending on why you can’t attend a polling station to vote.

Once completed, send the form to your local Electoral Registration Office.

Find out more information about voting by proxy here.

Voting if you have a disability

According to GOV.UK, if you have a disability, your local Electoral Registration Office can tell you about:

  • physical access, for example - wheelchair ramps and disabled parking spaces
  • low-level polling booths
  • equipment for voters with a visual impairment

Every polling station must provide at least one large print display version of the ballot paper and a special tactile voting device (TVD) to help people with sight loss.