By Charlotte Hall, Local Democracy Reporter

It's just under a month until local elections, when residents will be able to vote for candidates to represent them at their local council.

But only those who have registered will be able to cast a ballot – and the deadline for registration is approaching rapidly. 

Local Authority votes are happening across England on Thursday May 2. Find your council ward HERE.

Votes for local authorities are happening across England on Thursday May 2, alongside Mayoral elections. Other areas across both England and Wales may also vote for a Police and Crime Commissioner, where that role isn't covered by the mayor. 

As a registered voter you'll now also need to show your photo ID at the polling station. 

21 out of 63 councillors in Stockport are up for re-election on 2 May - that's one councillor in each ward (Image - Alasdair Perry)

What is the deadline to register to vote? 

To register, residents have to enter their details on the gov.uk website before the deadline on 11:59pm on 16 April 2024. You'll need to be aged 16 or over in England, or 14 in Wales. You must also be either a British citizen, an Irish or EU citizen living in the UK, a Commonwealth citizen with permission to stay in the UK, or a citizen of another country living in Scotland or Wales who has permission to enter or stay in the UK. 

Only those over the age of 18 can vote in the May elections. 

Is there a deadline for postal votes? 

For those who cannot vote on election day, it is possible to register for a postal vote or a proxy vote. You can choose whether you want to send in your ballot by secure post ahead of the election day or nominate someone to go on your behalf. 

You'll need a valid form of ID to register for it. 

To switch to a postal vote, you can sign up online by 5pm on 17 April 2024 or send a completed postal vote form to your local electoral registration office. You can find out where that is using gov.uk's online tool. 

As well as Stockport councillors, the Greater Manchester Mayor will also be up for election on May 2nd (Image - Joseph Timan)

When should I register for a proxy vote?

To nominate someone to vote for you, you'll need to register your choice by 5pm on 24 April 2024 – eight days before the elections.

The person you nominate has to be eligible to vote, registered and will only be able to vote for you at the polling station listed on your poll card. 

In some cases, you can apply for a last-minute 'emergency proxy vote'. For example because of a medical emergency or disability, reasons related to your job, or if the photo ID you were going to use at the polling station has been lost, stolen or damaged beyond recognition. 

Registration for an emergency proxy vote is available until 5pm on the day of the election.

Do I have to register to vote for every election? 

If you already registered to vote in your area, you won't usually need to do so again. But if you have moved somewhere new or not registered to vote before, you'll need to do so to vote in the upcoming elections.

A new rule means you'll have to reapply for postal vores every three years. Meanwhile proxy votes are only valid for one election. 

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