Where to find your polling station for the 2022 local elections and how to vote

Millions of people across the UK will head to the polls on 5 May for the latest round of local elections.

Although there won’t be votes everywhere, there is plenty at stake, from the make up of hundreds of concils to the composition of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The majority of people voting on Thursday will cast their ballot in a polling station – here’s how to find the one you need.

Where is my polling station?

The location of your polling station will be included on the poll card sent to you in the post – it is likely to be a public building such as a school or community hall close to your address.

However, if you have misplaced or not received your card, you can check on the Electoral Commission website by entering your postcode here.

If that doesn’t have the details of your polling station, the website will have the local council contacts you need to double check.

Polling stations around the UK will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday 5 May – they tend to be busiest before school and after work.

However, you will be still be allowed to vote in the elections as long as you join the queue before closing time.

How do I vote in the 2022 local elections?

Once you have arrived at your polling station, you will be given a ballot paper (or more than one, if you are voting in multiple elections) listing the parties and candidates you can vote for.

Read these carefully and then cast your vote with one of the pencils provided (you can bring you own pen or pencil if you prefer), before folding your ballot paper in half and putting it into the ballot box.

If you make a mistake, you can ask for a new ballot paper (as long as you haven’t put it in the ballot box yet) – a member of staff will be able to help you.

Do I need my polling card to vote?

You do not need to take your poll card to the polling station in order to vote anywhere in the UK.

All you need to do when you arrive is tell the presiding officer or poll clerk your name and address so that they can check if you’re on the electoral register.

While you do not need to supply identification to in England, Wales or Scotland, you must bring a photo ID in Northern Ireland.

This can be a passport, driving licence, Electoral Identity Card or certain types of Translink Smartpass – full details can be found here.

More on Local elections 2022

Can I vote in the local elections?

You must be a British citizen, an Irish or EU citizen living in the UK, a Commonwealth citizen who has (or does not need) permission to stay in the UK or certain other UK residents.

There are slightly different rules in place between the different countries, so if you’re not sure you can check on who has the right to vote in different types of elections here.

The deadline for registering to vote has already passed for all of these elections, as have the deadlines for postal votes and proxy votes – although certain people may be eligible for an emergency proxy vote.

If you weren’t able to send off your postal vote in time, then you can take your postal vote either to your polling station or your local Electoral Registration Office (which you can find here) before 10.00pm on polling day.

You should also be able to get help you if you have somehow spoiled your postal vote – you can apply for new version up until 5.00pm on polling day.