Are you ready to vote ahead of the elections this May?

On Thursday 2nd May, three elections are taking place – one in Hartlepool and two across the whole of the Tees Valley including Hartlepool.

Elections are being held for Hartlepool Borough Council (all 12 wards), the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Cleveland Police area and the Tees Valley Combined Authority Mayor.

All the elections will use the first-past-the-post voting system, where you vote for a single candidate, and the candidate with the most votes wins the election.

 

How do I register to vote?

It's quick and easy to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. To be able to vote in these elections you must be registered to vote by Tuesday 16th April.

If you're unable to register online and live in Hartlepool, please call the Electoral Hotline on 01429 523088 who will assist you with the process.

 

And don't forget you'll need ID to vote in-person

The law requires that voters now need to show photographic ID to vote at a polling station.

Accepted forms of ID include a passport, driver’s licence and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person's bus pass.

Voters will be able to use expired photo ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for a free photographic ID online at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or by completing a paper form by 5pm on Wednesday 24th April.

If you need further information and live in Hartlepool, visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk/voter-ID, call the Electoral Hotline on 01429 523088 or email elections@hartlepool.gov.uk.

 

Voting by post

If you would like to apply for a postal vote at these elections, you need to apply before 5pm on Wednesday 17th April.

To apply to vote by post, visit www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.

If you have applied to vote by post, you will receive ballot papers in the post with a form asking for your signature and your date of birth.

You will need to post the form and ballot papers back in the envelopes provided as soon as possible. If you miss the post, you can take the envelope to your local polling station or to the electoral services office at Hartlepool Civic Centre, where you will be required to complete a form for it to be accepted.

 

Voting by proxy

If you can’t visit the polling station on election day, you can nominate someone to vote on your behalf.

You will need to give a reason for the decision to have a proxy vote and you need to apply before 5pm on Wednesday 24th April.

To apply, visit www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote.

If you live in Hartlepool, you can also apply for a proxy vote by calling 01429 523088 or emailing elections@hartlepool.gov.uk

Anyone acting as a proxy voter will be required to show a valid ID at the polling station and must not be acting as a proxy for more than two domestic electors.

 

Where can I find out more?

To find out more on the upcoming elections visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk/elections-2024.