Voters encouraged to make sure they are prepared for Oxfordshire County Council elections in May

The elections on Thursday 1 May include all Oxfordshire County Electoral Divisions in West Oxfordshire and a by-election for the Standlake Aston & Stanton Harcourt District Council Ward after Councillor Charlie Maynard stood down from his position. 

Following a review of polling premises there may also be changes to polling station locations for some residents in the district compared to previous elections. People are urged to check the information on their polling card or visit www.wheredoivote.co.uk if they intend to vote in person. 

Poll cards will be sent to all registered voters at the end of March, you do not need to reapply if your poll card is correct. Residents can make an application to register to vote through the Government website which takes only five minutes to complete. They must register by Friday 11 April and can do so at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. 

To take part in any election, anyone over the age of 18 must be registered in the area they live in. Some people eligible to vote may not be registered and therefore will not be able to cast a vote. This may be because they have recently moved or are voting for the first time. 

Some residents prefer to vote by post, by using a postal vote. Residents can apply to receive their vote by post; or to amend or cancel an existing postal or proxy voting arrangement before the application deadline of 5pm on Monday 14 April. Applications can be made online by visiting www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. Anyone with an existing postal vote arrangement will not need to apply again, unless a change or cancellation is needed. 

Electors may also choose to appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf in the polling station. To be able to vote by proxy, applications must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 23 April. Proxy voters will be required to show their own valid ID when voting on behalf of someone else. Applications can be made online by visiting www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote. 

Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote in May by checking they have an accepted form of photographic ID.  

Accepted forms of photographic ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth photocard drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass. Voters will be able to use expired ID as long as the photograph is still a good likeness. Voters may be required to provide further proof of identity if there is any discrepancy between the name shown on the form of photographic ID and the name the voter claims at the polling station. 

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or by completing a paper form which is available from the Council. 

More information is available on the West Oxfordshire District Council website, including details of how to apply for the free ID. Anyone not able to visit the council website, or apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online, is being encouraged to contact the Council by calling 01993 861410. Residents must have applied for Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm on Tuesday 23 April. 

Giles Hughes, Returning Officer for West Oxfordshire District Council, said: 

“Ahead of the local elections on 1 May 2025 it is important that those who want to vote make sure they are registered, applied for alternative votes if they would like them, checked their polling station and have their ID ready. 

“It may seem early but checking you have what you need now means you will be ready to vote in May and won’t risk missing the national deadlines.”