District, town and parish council elections to take place on Thursday 4 May

On Monday 20 March, the Notice of Election for all 45 seats on the council was published alongside the Notice of Election for seats on the district’s four town and 35 parish councils.

Voters will head to the polls on Thursday 4 May to elect their Wealden District Council councillors and town and parish councillors.

Nomination papers for those wishing to stand for election are now available from the council’s Electoral Services team. The deadline for nominations is 4pm on Tuesday 4 April.

Anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must be registered to vote. It only takes five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

The deadline for registering to vote is midnight on Monday 17 April.

In addition, the deadline for new applications to vote by post or to cancel or amend an existing postal or proxy vote is by 5pm on Tuesday 18 April; the deadline for new applications to vote by proxy is by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April and the deadline for applications to vote by emergency proxy is by 5pm on Thursday 4 May.

For the first time in elections, there is a requirement to show photo ID at the polling station. The requirement was introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act which was passed last year and comes into effect for the first time this May. 

Acceptable forms of photo ID include a driving licence with photo, passport, older persons and disabled persons concessionary bus pass, Blue Badge and any PASS-accredited forms of photo ID.

Photo ID can be expired, such as an out of date passport, but there must be a likeness, and if there has been a change of name, people will need to provide evidence of this. It must also be an original document, not a copy.

Find out more about acceptable photographic ID here.

If people do not have any of the approved photo ID they can now apply online for a free Voter Authority Certificate. People can also complete a paper application form.

People will need to provide their name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number and a photo and must also be on the electoral register. 

The deadline to apply is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April, but the council is encouraging people to apply as soon as possible.

Find out more about applying for a Voter Authority Certificate here.

Wealden District Council’s Returning Officer and chief executive Trevor Scott said, “We want to ensure everyone can have their say on who is elected to the district, town and parish councils over the next four years.

“This time around, as well as registering to vote, residents will need to show an acceptable form of photo ID.

“We do not want to have to turn anyone away from the polling station, so it is essential that residents check these new rules and make sure they either already have an acceptable form of ID, or take action as soon as possible to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.”

Find further details on the Notice of Election here.