Voters in Leeds are encouraged to have their say and reminded to take their identification with them for the local elections which take place on Thursday (4 May 2023).
Polling stations across Leeds will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday for everyone registered who has not already voted by post to support their candidates for Leeds City Council. Anyone unsure of where their polling station is can find out via wheredoivote.co.uk
A new requirement for this year is the need for everyone who wishes to vote in person to remember to take their accepted form of photo ID with them to the polling station, which will be checked on arrival. To see the list of accepted forms of ID visit Voter photo ID (leeds.gov.uk). Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
It may be necessary for polling officials to ask voters to remove face coverings in order to verify their identity. Privacy booths will be available at all polling stations, with a choice of a male or female official to carry out the check. This process will take slightly longer than previously, so voters are requested to be patient while it is undertaken.
The need to have Voter ID only applies to those who wish to vote in person at a polling station or through a proxy in person, it does not affect those who vote by post.
Polling stations will also be able to accept completed postal ballots up to 10pm. Anyone who has not yet received their postal ballot pack should inform the elections team on (0113) 222 4411 or email electors@leeds.gov.uk to arrange a replacement, which can be issued up to 5pm on polling day.
The election count itself will take place at the first direct arena during the day on Friday. The full results for the three South Leeds wards will be posted here at southleedslife.com
Elections Returning Officer and chief executive of Leeds City Council Tom Riordan said:
“We would encourage as many people as possible to make the most of their right to vote and take part in this week’s local elections. An important new element this year introduced by the government is everyone wanting to vote in person needs to take their photo ID with them to the polling station, so please don’t forget to take it with you.
“The process will take slightly longer than before as every ID will need to be checked by polling officials, so we ask for patience and understanding around this from everyone please.
“Thanks to all those people who have applied for a new free Voter ID and we look forward to another exciting election week in Leeds.”
You can find details of all the candidates standing on our dedicated election pages, along with recording of the online hustings meeting we held last week:
Information about the new Voter ID requirement and guiding around voting options can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website at Voter ID | Electoral Commission.
This post is based on a press release issued by Leeds City Council
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