Voting under way in local elections – with ID required for the first time

Today, voters in parts of England are heading to the polls to cast their ballots for councillors and mayors in this year’s local elections. Elections are being held in 230 of England’s 317 councils, within district, borough, county borough and unitary authority councils, along with four mayoral elections in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield, and Middlesbrough. There are no local elections in Scotland or Wales, but voters in Northern Ireland will be able to have their say on 18 May, with 462 seats across 11 local councils up for grabs.

Polls opened at 7 am and will close at 10 pm, giving voters a 15-hour window to mark their ballots. However, for the first time, people will be required to take ID with them to be eligible to vote. A full list of valid identification can be found on the government website, including a driving licence, passport, and older person’s bus pass. But, travel passes for younger people, such as a young person’s railcard, will not be accepted.

The Local Government Association has urged voters to be patient with polling staff if there are queues, or if the process “takes a little longer than usual” due to the new rules. Results will begin coming in overnight on Thursday and into Friday.