Elections will be held across the UK on May 2, 2024. What is at stake?

People will head out across various parts of the UK on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024, to participate in the local elections. Many first-time voters and people who moved to the UK recently may wonder what is at stake during the local elections. What really is up for grabs on that day?

According to Channel 4 News, there will be elections for about 2600 councillor positions across 107 local authorities in England and elections for 10 Metro Mayors, mainly in the Midlands and the North of England. There will also be Police and crime commissioner positions up for grabs across all of Wales and almost all of England.

What to know about polling day?

1. You’ll be sent a poll card just before the election telling you when to vote and at which polling station.

2. You can only vote at the polling station on your card; you do not have to take your poll card with you.

3. You can still vote if you’ve lost your card.

4. A photo ID will be required to confirm your identity.

5. Polling stations will be open from 7 am to 10 pm on election day.

6. You’ll be given a ballot paper containing a list of the people, parties or options you can vote for.

7. Follow the instructions on the notices in the polling booth and on the top of the ballot paper to vote.

8. There will also be provisions for people with a disability to vote on the day.

There are three convenient ways you can exercise your right to vote in the upcoming elections:

1. In-person: You can vote in person on the day of the elections at an allocated polling station based on your addresses contained on the electoral register.

2. By Post: If you applied for a postal vote, you could vote using your postal voting pack, which should have been sent to you before the election and contains your ballot paper.

3. By Proxy: You can ask a trusted person to vote on your behalf and apply for a proxy vote if, for any reason, you cannot make it to the polling station on the day of the election.