Oxfordshire County Council elections will be taking place in May and all residents who wish to vote must ensure they are registered and have photo ID.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty about local governance reform in Oxfordshire [read more here], it has been confirmed that County Council elections will take place on Thursday 1 May as previously planned. The elections will include all Oxfordshire County Electoral Divisions in West Oxfordshire and a by-election for the Standlake Aston & Stanton Harcourt District Council Ward following the standing-down of Cllr Charlie Maynard.
Eynsham Village Hall will be used as a polling station and all residents who come to vote must bring photographic ID with them. Various forms of ID are acceptable, including a UK driver’s license and a passport, as well as some bus passes. Those who don’t have suitable ID can apply online for a free ID at Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’) - GOV.UK. This must be done before 5pm on 23 April.
Polling cards will be sent out in March and those who are not yet registered to vote can do so via the Government website: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. This must be done by 11 April to be eligible to vote in May.
Registering for a postal vote can be done online via this website www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote and must be submitted before 5pm on 14 April. If residents already have an arrangement in place to receive a postal vote, there is no need to register again.
There is also an option for someone to register as a proxy to vote on behalf of someone else. Apply for this online at www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote before 5pm on 23 April. Please be advised that the person who acts as the proxy will still be required to show their own photo ID to cast the proxy vote.
More information about local elections is available on the West Oxfordshire District Council website: Current and future elections - West Oxfordshire District Council