Voters encouraged to make their mark in Leeds City Council election on Thursday

Voters in Leeds are encouraged to have their say by taking part in the Leeds City Council election this week.

Polling stations across the city will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May for everyone registered who has not already voted by post to support their candidates for places on Leeds City Council. Anyone unsure of where their polling station is can find out via https://wheredoivote.co.uk

Everyone voting in person on Thursday is reminded of the need to remember to take their accepted form of photo ID with them to the polling station, which will be checked on arrival. To see the list of accepted forms of ID visit Voter photo ID (leeds.gov.uk). Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.  

It may be necessary for polling officials to ask voters to remove face coverings in order to verify their identity. Privacy booths will be available at all polling stations, with a choice of a male or female official to carry out the check.

Anyone wishing to hand in a postal vote rather than returning it in the post via Royal Mail is reminded it can only be handed in at a polling station or at the electoral services office at Leeds Civic Hall, LS1 1UR. No other council offices will be able to accept votes.

 Anyone who has not yet received their postal ballot pack should inform the elections team on 0113 222 4411 or email electors@leeds.gov.uk to arrange a replacement, which can be issued up to 5pm on polling day.

Regardless of the voting method chosen, a key element of the electoral process is to follow the national guidance around ‘Your vote is yours alone’, with help and support available for anyone by calling or 0800 555 111 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously via crimestoppers-uk.org.

The election day in Leeds will be followed by counting and results being declared the following day, Friday 8 May, with the count taking place at the John Charles Centre for Sport.

This will see 36 councillors securing seats on Leeds City Council, made up one councillor at all 33 ward areas in the city, along with further seats being contested to fill vacancies in Adel and Wharfedale, Morley North and Temple Newsam. In these three wards, the winner and the second-placed candidate will secure places on the council. The results will be posted on the council’s website and X account at @LeedsCC_News.

To see the list of candidates standing in each ward visit https://www.leeds.gov.uk/elections/leeds-city-council-elections.

Returning Officer and chief executive of Leeds City Council Ed Whiting said:

“Election day is here on Thursday so we would encourage everyone registered to get involved and have their say. For everyone intending to vote in person at a polling station please remember to take an accepted form of photo ID with you, as without it you will not be allowed to vote.

“Any postal voters who have not yet received their voting pack need to contact us urgently please, and for everyone voting, please remember that your vote is yours alone to decide. We look forward to election day in Leeds followed by the count and results on Friday.”

To discuss any questions or issues on the election process contact the Leeds elections team using the helpline at 0113 222 4411 or by emailing electors@leeds.gov.uk.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 6007