Local elections 2019 - one month to go
You can no longer register to vote in the 2 May elections. The deadline to register to vote in the local elections has passed.
Local elections take place in Brighton & Hove on Thursday 2 May 2019. Make sure you prepare ahead so you are registered to vote, know what you need to do on the day and to apply for any postal or proxy votes if you are unable to get to your polling station.
Brighton & Hove is divided into 21 areas called wards, each represented by two or three councillors depending on the number of people living in them. Residents vote to elect the councillors they want to represent their ward. These 54 councillors will work together to set the council’s vision, direction and budget.
On the same day, there will be a parish election to elect nine councillors to Rottingdean Parish Council.
Register to vote by 12 April
Most adults who live in the city, including EU and Commonwealth citizens, are eligible to vote in these local elections, but you must be registered by Friday 12 April.
It only takes five minutes to register
If you are not already registered to vote, you can register online on GOV.UK. Follow the prompts to give your name, address, date of birth and a few other details. You will need your National Insurance Number which can be found on your payslip or letters about benefits or tax.
How do I know if I am registered?
If you have received a poll card, you are registered to vote. Many poll cards have already gone out but if you've registered recently you may not have received yours yet.
You need to re-register every time you move house. If you are not sure if you are registered, please contact the electoral services team to find out.
Who can vote in the local elections?
Eligibility for voting in local elections is different to a UK Parliamentary election. For example, European Union citizens who live in the city and students who are also registered at another address can vote.
You can vote in the Brighton & Hove City Council elections if you are:
- registered to vote
- a resident in Brighton & Hove
- 18 or over on 2 May (although you can register from 16)
- a UK, Irish, Commonwealth or European Union citizen
Double check on the Your Vote Matters website if you are not sure.
Voting in the local elections
If you're already registered to vote, keep an eye out for your poll cards arriving in the post. They'll have your ward information and the location of your polling station printed on them.
On Thursday 2 May you will need to go to your assigned polling station between 7am and 10pm. When you arrive, staff will take your name and address and cross off your name on their checklist. You will then be able to vote.
Plan ahead if you won't be able to get to your polling station
If you know that you will be unable to get to your polling station on 2 May, you will need to apply for a postal or proxy vote in advance. Find out more about postal and proxy votes.
Postal vote
To apply to vote by post you need to download, complete, print and sign a form, then and send it back to our Elections team by Monday 15 April. Postal votes will begin to be sent out from 11 April.
Proxy vote
If you aren't able to cast your vote in person, you can apply for a proxy vote to have someone you trust cast your vote for you. You will need to complete a form and return it to our Elections team by Wednesday 24 April.
Key deadlines
- Thursday 4 April: List of candidates published
- Friday 12 April: Last day to register to vote
- Monday 15 April (5pm): Last day for us to receive your postal vote application
- Wednesday 24 April (5pm): Last day for us to receive your proxy vote application
- Thursday 2 May: Election day
Find out more
For more information about the local election, how to register to vote, applying for a postal or proxy vote, please go to the elections pages on our website.
