Local Elections will be taking place in Nottingham on Thursday 4th May 2023. 

You can find information on this page regarding: 

Voter ID

Registering to vote

Voting by Post

Voting by Proxy

Registration Deadlines

Information for voters with a disability

Election Notices

Information for potential candidates and agents

Voter ID

These elections will be the first to be held since the Government introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station. More information can be found by clicking here. 

Most voters may already have photo ID that will be accepted, such as:

• Passport
• Photocard Driving licence (including provisional licence)
• Blue badge
• Certain concessionary travel cards
• Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• Biometric Immigration document

A full list of acceptable forms of ID can be found by clicking here.

If you have an expired form of accepted ID, then this can be used as long as the picture is still a true likeness of you. 

Please note photocopies or pictures of your ID on a smartphone will not be accepted and the original form of ID must be shown in the polling station.

The Electoral Commission has produced a British Sign Language video on what forms of photo ID can be used at a polling station. The video can be accessed by clicking below 

What if I don't have an acceptable form of ID?

If you don't have an acceptable form of photo ID or you are not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document - known as a Voter Authority Certificate. 

The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for use at the elections taking place on 4th May is 5pm on Tuesday 25th April, but you should apply as soon as possible in case we need to check any details with you.

You can apply for photo ID to vote by clicking below: 

Alternatively, you can download and complete a paper application form to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. Completed application forms can be scanned and returned via email to elections@nottinghamcity.gov.uk. Completed applications can also be returned by post or handed in at Loxley House.

Application form for Voter Authority Certificate

If you are unable to complete an application, you can make an appointment with us where we can help you. We will assist you by entering your details into the online portal and taking a suitable photo of you as part of the application process for the Voter Authority Certificate. You will also need your National Insurance number at the appointment. 

If you need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate, or want to make an appointment to complete an application in person with ourselves you can contact us on 0115 876 4111 or elections@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.

If you want to request a paper application form, you can contact us on the above details also.  

The Electoral Commission has produced a British Sign Language video on how to apply for photo ID to vote (known as a Voter Authority Certificate). 

Registering to vote and absent voting deadlines 

In order to be able to vote in these elections you must be registered to vote by 11:59pm on Monday 17th April. 

The quickest and easiest way to register is online by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. The process takes around 5 minutes and you will your National Insurance number. 

If you need help registering to vote, or want to request a paper application form, please contact the Electoral Services team by emailing elections@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or calling 0115 876 4111.

If you are not able to attend your polling station to vote you can apply to vote by post or by proxy instead. 

Postal Vote

If you want to vote by post at the election, you'll need to complete a postal vote application form and make sure we receive it by 5pm on Tuesday 18th April. 

Postal Vote Application Form

Anyone can apply to vote by post but you must complete an application form, which can be found below. Postal Vote Application forms can be returned to us in the post or by email as a scanned attachment or picture. If sending your application form by email as a scanned attachment or picture, the image must be clear and show a signed form and not a typed signature.

Return either a scan or clear picture of the the signed form via email to us at elections@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Or return the form to the following address:

Electoral Services, Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG

Please note you will not need to provide photo ID to vote by post.  This is because there are other identification checks, including verification of your signature and date of birth, both when you apply for a postal vote and when you submit your ballot paper.

Proxy Vote

If you want to vote by proxy at the election, you'll need to complete a proxy vote application form and make sure we receive it by 5pm on Tuesday 25th April. 

Anyone can apply to vote by proxy at a particular election but you must complete an application form, which can be found below.

Proxy Vote for a particular election

Proxy Application forms can be returned to us in the post or by email as a scanned attachment. If sending by email as a scanned attachment, the image must show a signed form and not a typed signature.

Return the signed and scanned form via email us at elections@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Or return the form to the following address:

Electoral Services, Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG

It may be possible to apply for an emergency proxy after the proxy deadline above if a medical or employment issue has arisen after 5pm on Tuesday 25th April.  Please contact Electoral Services for further information.

Information for voters with a disability 

Information on the support offered at polling stations for voters with a disability can be found by clicking here.

Election Notices

All statutory election notices will be published on this webpage in due course.

Information for potential candidates and agents 

Briefing sessions for potential candidates and agents will be held on Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd March at 6pm. 

The briefings will be held in person at Loxley House in the Ground Floor Committee Room. 

If you would like to attend one of the briefings, please email elections@nottinghamcity.gov.uk to confirm your attendance. 

If you have any questions regarding standing as a candidate more information can be found by clicking here. Nomination forms can also be found on that webpage.