Don’t miss your right to vote, register by Friday 11 April 2025

On Thursday 1 May 2025, elections will be held to determine who will represent Gloucestershire County Council for the next four years. There will also be a by-election in the Charlton Kings ward for Cheltenham Borough Council.

The notice of election will be published on Tuesday 25 March, and this marks the start of the election period.

Cheltenham residents wishing to vote - who are not yet registered - need to register to vote online by Friday 11 April 2025. Residents can check whether they’re registered to vote by calling 01242 262626.

If you haven’t registered by Friday 11 April, you won’t be able to vote on 1 May 2025.

It’s easy to do and only takes five minutes to register online (you will need your National Insurance number when registering).

Electors are urged to check their poll cards when received as their polling station may have changed. When voting in person, residents in Cheltenham will need to show photo ID and are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote by checking they have an accepted form of ID.

To find out which ID you can use in the polling station, visit the Electoral Commission website. If you do not have one of the accepted types of ID, you can apply for free ID or by completing and submitting a paper form to the Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 9SA.  Completed applications must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 23 April.

Anyone wishing to have a postal vote, postal proxy or to make changes to an existing postal vote for the elections on Thursday 1 May, must return their application form by 5pm on Monday 14 April.  Photo ID is not required if you have a postal vote. If you have a postal vote, where possible, please post your postal vote pack back to us in plenty of time ahead of polling day. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can bring your postal vote into reception at the Municipal Offices during office hours, but you will be required to sign a declaration before handing it in. There are now limits to how many people you can hand in postal votes for. An elector can hand in their own postal vote as well as postal votes for up to five other people. This is now the law.

Residents wishing to apply for a proxy vote should return their application form by 5pm on Wednesday 23 April. A proxy vote is having someone vote on your behalf.

Paul Jones, electoral registration officer at Cheltenham Borough Council, said “Don’t lose your chance to have your say at elections in May. Local elections are an important opportunity to have your say on who represents you and makes decisions about issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Cheltenham. 

“If you’re in doubt about whether you need to register to vote, or have questions about how to apply for a postal or proxy vote, or free voter ID, you can contact the electoral services team on 01242 264132, email [email protected].”

Niki Nixon, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, said: “It’s important that people check they’re ready to vote ahead of the upcoming local elections. All voters must be registered, and some may need to apply for a postal, proxy vote or free ID.

“If you’ve changed address or moved home since registering to vote at the general election last year, it takes just five minutes to update your details.

“Voters will also need to show photo ID at polling stations this May. Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID can apply for free ID online or by completing a paper form and submitting it to their local council.”

Information about the new requirement and all your voting options can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.

For more information visit our upcoming elections webpage.

For more information contact the council’s communications team on 01242 264231 or email [email protected].

Or contact the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, or [email protected].

Notes:

The next elections are taking place on 1 May 2025 for Gloucestershire County Council. Cheltenham Borough Council is responsible for holding elections for the 10 county divisions in Cheltenham, each of which are represented by one councillor.

• From 1 May, HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards can also be used as voter ID.
• The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is responsible for the voter ID policy and for the free voter ID application system. Enquiries relating to the application system or the policy itself should be directed to MHCLG.
• The Electoral Commission is responsible for ensuring voters are aware of the voter ID requirement, and for supporting local authorities with the process. Questions related to the public awareness campaign should be directed to the Electoral Commission.
• Local authorities are responsible for implementing voter ID at the local level.