Voters across England will elect 4,851 councillors on Thursday 7th May. To vote in these elections, register before Monday 20th April.
You need to register to vote before you are allowed to vote in elections, this usually takes about 5 minutes.
Registering to vote
You need to register to vote on the UK Government’s website. You will be asked to provide your name, your date of birth, your nationality and your National Insurance number. If you do not know your National Insurance number, you can get assistance in finding it here.
Register to vote here
The last day to complete your registration to vote is Monday 20th April, and the last day to register for a postal vote is Tuesday 21st April, at 5pm.
Register for postal voting
I’ve moved house recently, do I have to register to vote again?
Students change address more than most people, so it’s important that you double check that you are registered to vote.
You have to register to vote every time you change address, name or nationality.
Can I be registered to vote at more than one address?
Students are allowed to register to vote at more than one address if they consider both places to be a permanent home.
Even though you can be registered at more than one address, you can only vote in one place. You can choose which address to vote at.
I'm an international student. Can I register to vote?
You can, but it depends on the country you're from. Click the link below to find out which elections you can vote in.
Check if you can vote
I'm already registered to vote. What else do I need to know?
New laws mean you now have to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in General and Local Elections in the UK. You can find a full list of accepted voter IDs in each UK nation via the Electoral Commission here.
Don't have a voter ID?
If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate to vote at a polling station. Voter Authority Certificates do not have an expiration date. You do not need photo ID to vote by post.
Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate
How does voting impact me?
Voting is your chance to elect candidates into positions to shape policy and allocate funding in your local area. Students account for approximately 80,000+ people in Birmingham, if all eligible students cast their votes, candidates are likely to tailor their manifestos to students' needs in future elections.
Being registered to vote could also improve your credit score, because banks and other lenders often use the Electoral Roll to help verify your identity. This could help when it comes to things like taking out a mobile phone contract, especially if you do not have a long credit history. It could also help if you’re looking to buy a car, rent, or even secure a mortgage.
Who am I voting for?
Candidates for local positions will stand with their promises in manifestos.
You can find out about candidates in your area online (whocanivotefor.co.uk)
What are the key election dates?
What do I do on Election Day?
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You'll need to go to your local polling station to cast your vote, unless you've chosen a postal vote
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The polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm
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You will receive one polling card referencing the mayoral and local elections, and another polling card referencing the Police and Crime Commissioner election
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Remember to take your ID with you