May elections: Everything you need to know to cast your vote

Cast your vote on 2 May. Photograph: Martin Deutsch

With elections coming up at London and local levels, you’ll want to make sure you can vote under the new regulations.

Elections are being held on Thursday 2 May for the London Mayor and London Assembly Members.

In addition, Hackney Council by-elections are being held in De Beauvoir and Shoreditch and Hoxton East wards.

What is new this time?

Voters now need to show photo identification when they vote.

For some people, this will be the first time they will be asked to present their photo ID, so it is important to make sure that you have an ID that meets the requirements, and that you take it with you to the polling station.

A range of different types of ID are accepted, including passports, biometric immigration cards, Oyster 60+ cards, Freedom Passes and Blue Badges.

The full list can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need.

If you do not have one of these forms of identification, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online at: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate before 5.00pm on 24 April 2024 in order to be able to vote in the 2 May elections.

You can also apply by post or at the Hackney Electoral Registration Office at Hackney Town Hall, Mare Street, E8 1EA (tel: 020 8356 3232).

Who can vote?

A Hackney resident is eligible to vote in both the London and local May 2024 elections if they are over 18 years of age and a citizen of the UK, Ireland or a European Union country, or if they are a citizen of a Commonwealth country and have leave to remain in the UK or do not require leave to remain.

But unlike in most countries, you will not be automatically included on the electoral register.

If you have lived in Hackney for several months or more, you should have received a letter from the council asking you to register to vote or to check your voter registration details.

If you did not receive this, or if you are not sure you are registered, you can contact the Hackney Electoral Registration Office at the address above, or you can register online at: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

People who have only recently moved to Hackney are likely to need to take proactive measures such as this to ensure they are on the electoral roll.

How do I vote?

Most people vote either at a polling station or by post.

All registered voters should receive a card in the post telling them where their polling station is.

If a card does not reach you, this information can be found at https://wheredoivote.co.uk/. If you want to vote by post, you can apply for a postal ballot until 5.00pm on 17 April 2024 at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-post

Where do I find out about the candidates?

The Greater London Authority has recently published lists of mayoral candidates at: londonelects.org.uk/media-centre/london-mayoral-candidates-announced.

A list of all candidates for the London Assembly will be published at londonelects.org.uk by 2 April.

All London households will also be sent a booklet about the candidates and parties contesting the London elections.

Candidates for Hackney’s byelections will be announced on Hackney Council’s website and in the Hackney Citizen.

For more information on the 2 May elections, see: londonelects.org.uk and hackney.gov.uk/elections.