Overview
- GOV.UK, which posted an alert on Wednesday, listed 11:59pm on Monday 20 April to register, 5pm on Tuesday 21 April for postal votes, and 5pm on Tuesday 28 April for proxy votes and free voter ID.
- Voters in England must show an accepted photo ID at polling stations, and those without one can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate by 28 April.
- You can register from age 16 but must be 18 to vote, with eligibility extending to British, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens, plus certain EU citizens who meet residency rules.
- More than 5,000 seats are being contested across 136 English authorities, including every London borough, with polls closing at 10pm on 7 May and most counts taking place on 8–9 May.
- The races serve as a political barometer, with reporting noting Labour’s recent local by‑election setbacks and a YouGov poll on 7 April that placed Reform UK first.