How to vote in local elections 2023 and what to do at a polling station

The local elections will take place on Thursday (May 4) and will give people all across the country the opportunity to have their say in local government.

However, many people may feel that voting can be a daunting task, especially because new roles have been implemented for this year's elections. Furthermore, voting systems change depending on which election you are voting for, therefore you may notice some differences in your ballot sheet in the local elections than you would in the general elections.

To help you sieve through all the voting information out there, we have created a brief guide for anyone hoping to have their say in the elections.

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Polling stations be open from 7am to 10pm on May 4. The Electoral Commission has confirmed that if you are still in a queue to vote when polls officially close, you are still guaranteed entry and the ability to cast your vote.

Generally, polling stations are located in public buildings which include schools, leisure centres and churches. If you are unsure where to find your local polling station you can contact your local authority's election office.

Yes, new rules have been introduced which means you will now need an eligible form of photo ID to be able to cast your vote at a polling station. Accepted forms of photo ID include:

You can also apply for a free voter ID document (Voter Authority Certificate) which you can receive if you're registered to vote. Furthermore, if your photo ID is out of date, it can still be used as a valid ID for voting as long as the picture still looks like you and has the same name you used to register to vote.

When heading to your local polling station you will be provided