Polling stations are due to open across Leeds on Thursday as residents prepare to vote in the cities local elections.
Over the past few months, election campaigns have spread across the city. Signs and posters have crept into local parks, front gardens, sitting room windows and into high streets. Now, there’s just one day left until voting takes place in the local elections.
Ahead of tomorrow, Leeds City Council have shared some final information to make sure as many residents take part as possible.
Where and when to vote
Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm. Residents who are registered and have not yet voted by post can cast their ballot in person at their designated polling station, which can be found here.
Additionally, postal voters who do not wish to send their ballot via Royal Mail can return it in person, but only at a poling station or the electoral services office at Leeds Civic Hall. Other council buildings will not accept ballots.
People who haven’t received their postal vote should contact the elections team, as replacement packs can be issued up to 5pm on polling day.
Ed Whiting, returning officer and chief executive of Leeds City Council, said: ‘Election day is here on Thursday so we would encourage everyone registered to get involved and have their say.’
Voters ID
Prior to the elections, Whiting has also reminded locals to ‘remember to take an accepted form of photo ID…as without it you will not be allowed to vote.’
The concept was first introduced by the former Conservative government in 2023 and the general election in 2024 was the first time all voters had to abide by the rule. Accepted forms of ID include:
- Passports
- A blue badge
- Driving licenses
- Bus passes funded by the UK government
However, the scheme has since had a negative effect on voting. A report from the Electoral Commission, found at least 16,000 people were turned away from polling stations in 2024 for not having an accepted form of ID.
What’s more, the figure is believed to be ‘just the tip of the iceberg’. The Electoral Commission estimates 750,000 people may not have an accepted form of ID.
A final brush up
Tomorrow, 36 councillors will be elected to Leeds City Council. This includes one seat in each of the city’s 33 wards, along with additional seats in Adel and Wharfedale, Morley North and Temple Newsam. In those wards, the top two candidates will be elected.
A full list of councillors running in Leeds’ election can be accessed here.
Counting will take place on Friday 8th May at the John Charles Centre for Sport, with results published on the council’s website.
Alongside Leeds, local elections are taking place across England, Scotland and Wales on Thursday, two years into a Labour government. They will see more than 30 million people vote in the devolved administrations, six mayoral races and for more than 4,500 councillors in city and county councils.
Image: Paul Rigel/UnSplash
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