For the Leeds City Council and Mayoral elections on May 2, voters must provide acceptable Voter ID in person or by proxy, with free Voter Authority Certificates available until April 24. Postal voters are exempt from this requirement. Registration deadline is April 16, and key dates include candidate list announcement on April 5, with Election Day on May 2.
What are the Voter ID requirements for the Leeds City Council and Mayoral elections?
Voters in Leeds must present an acceptable form of Voter ID to vote in person or by proxy for the upcoming City Council and Mayoral elections. Details for obtaining a free Voter Authority Certificate can be found on Leeds City Council’s Voter Photo ID page. The ID is not required for postal voting. Deadline for the certificate is 5pm, 24 April.
Voting Identification Requirements
Ahead of the Leeds City Council and Mayoral elections on Thursday, 2 May, residents of Leeds are reminded to prepare the necessary identification to vote. The council has reiterated that those voting in person or by proxy must present an acceptable form of Voter ID. This continuation from last year’s local elections is aimed at enhancing the integrity of the voting process.
The acceptable forms of ID and information on obtaining a free Voter Authority Certificate are detailed on Leeds City Council’s Voter Photo ID page. The deadline for acquisition of this certificate is 5pm on Wednesday, 24 April. Local community hubs and libraries stand ready to assist with the application, including photo services. Importantly, this ID requirement does not extend to postal voters.
Chief Executive of Leeds City Council and Elections Returning Officer, Tom Riordan, underlined the importance of being prepared: “As we get ready to head into another pre-election period, it is important everyone who wishes to vote is registered to do so and has chosen their method of voting. We encourage everyone who can vote to exercise their democratic right to do so and have their say.”
Registration and Voting Methods
The first critical step toward voting is registration. Prospective voters must ensure they are on the electoral roll by midnight, Tuesday 16 April. Those who have recently moved are reminded to update their registration details, which can be completed swiftly online at the UK government’s registration site.
Once registered, voters must decide whether to cast their ballot in person, by post, or via a proxy – someone trusted to vote on their behalf. For in-person voting, the necessary Voter ID must be presented at the polling station. Poll cards will be dispatched starting 25 March, providing registered voters with key information, including any changes to polling station locations.
Postal voters will receive their poll cards and subsequent postal ballot packs around 18 April. Applications for postal voting are open until 5pm on Tuesday, 18 April, with the council urging prompt return of completed ballots. The proxy voting application deadline is 5pm on Wednesday, 17 April, accessible through Leeds.gov.uk elections page.
Timeline and Additional Information
In the lead-up to the elections, several important dates have been announced by Leeds City Council. The official pre-election period commences on Monday, 25 March, and will include key milestones such as the publication of the candidate list on Friday, 5 April. Key dates are as follows:
- Monday 25 March: Commencement of the official pre-election period.
- From w/c Monday 25 March: Distribution of poll cards to registered voters.
- Friday 5 April: Announcement of candidates.
- Midnight on Tuesday 16 April: Voter registration deadline.
- 5pm on Wednesday 17 April: Postal voting application deadline.
- Thursday 18 April: Postal vote packs distribution begins.
- 5pm on Wednesday 24 April: Deadline for Voter Authority Certificate and proxy vote applications.
- Thursday 2 May (7am-10pm): Election Day.
- Friday 3 May: Leeds City Council seat results.
- Saturday 4 May: West Yorkshire Mayoral election result.
In addition, on Election Day, voters at polling stations may be requested to momentarily remove face coverings for identity verification. Privacy booths and the choice of a male or female official will be provided to ensure voter comfort during this process.
For further enquiries or assistance, the Leeds elections team can be reached at the helpline number 0113 222 4411 or by email at electors@leeds.gov.uk. The Electoral Commission’s website also offers comprehensive details on this year’s electoral changes at Home Page | Electoral Commission.
For media enquiries regarding the upcoming Leeds City Council and regional Mayor of West Yorkshire elections, please contact the communications and marketing team via email at communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk or by phone at 0113 378 6007.
ENDS
- Voters in Leeds must present acceptable Voter ID in person or by proxy for the upcoming City Council and Mayoral elections.
- Free Voter Authority Certificates are available until April 24 and are not required for postal voters.
- Registration deadline for voters is April 16, with key dates including candidate list announcement on April 5 and Election Day on May 2.
- The acceptable forms of ID and information on obtaining a free Voter Authority Certificate can be found on Leeds City Council’s Voter Photo ID page.
- Privacy booths and the choice of a male or female official will be provided at polling stations on Election Day for voter comfort during identification verification.