With voting taking place across the country today, including in Bedford Borough, there are several things voters need to remember to make sure their vote counts, including new rules about ID.
Voters are being reminded to bring their ID to the polling station for today’s council and mayoral elections. This is a new requirement from the UK government and will be enforced for the first time.
To vote, voters must present photo ID such as a passport, driver’s licence, or certain concessionary travel passes. Even an expired ID is acceptable as long as the voter is still recognizable from the photo.
Polling station staff will check the ID, but voters can choose to have their ID viewed in a private area. The full list of accepted ID and more information about the new requirement is available on the Electoral Commission’s website.
If voters lose their ID or their Voter Authority Certificate did not arrive on time, they can appoint an emergency proxy to vote on their behalf until 5 pm on election day. The proxy must have their own acceptable photo ID.
To find their polling station and more information about the elections, voters can use the postcode look-up tool on the Electoral Commission website.
How to vote
Mayoral Elections
Bedford Borough Council is one of 16 councils in the country to have a directly elected Mayor.
Previously, local mayoral elections used the Supplementary Vote system, where voters would choose a first and second choice. The Elections Act 2022 changed this and now the votes will be counted using the First Past the Post system.
This is the same system used for UK Parliamentary and local elections.
You can see a full list of who is running for Bedford Borough Mayor here.
Ward Councillor
In February 2023, new boundaries and wards were adopted by Bedford Borough Council. There will be 46 elected Borough Councillors each representing 1 of 28 Wards within the Bedford Borough area.
Electors vote for the candidates who are standing for the Ward where they are registered to vote. You may have two councillors to choose from depending on your ward size.
You can see the statement of persons nominated for each ward here.
Parish Councillors
Parish Council elections are held every four years and coincide with both the Mayoral and Borough Council elections. Parish Councils primarily comprise of the villages in the area, but can also be large areas such as Brickhill and Kempston Town.
Not all parish councils will have a vote if current councillors have not been contested. You can see if your area also has a parish council vote here.
Polling Station
If you are voting in person, and have registered to vote, you will need to attend a polling station to vote. You will have received a polling card with details of where you should vote. If you have lost this, you can check your polling station here.
When you attend your polling station, and your ID checks have taken place, you will be given the ballot papers for each vote available to you. Read the instructions carefully and vote accordingly.
Remember you are only voting for one person as Mayor, but you may have a choice of two councillors for your ward. The Who Can I Vote For? website has detailed instructions that you may also find useful.
If you are unsure at any time while at the polling stations, you can ask the polling station staff for help.
Only mark your vote within the box next to the person or persons you wish to vote for. Do not mark more than the required number of boxes or make a make outside of the boxes as this may mean your vote is invalid.
If you have made a mistake you can ask for another ballot paper, so long as you have not put the original one in the ballot box.
Sometimes there are people asking how you voted outside of the polling station for research. You do not have to tell them, or anyone else, how you voted.
Polling stations close at 10pm.
When will we know the results?
The verification and counting of the votes will take place on Friday, 5 May 2023 at the John Bunyan Sports Centre.
Only staff appointed by the Returning Officer, candidates, candidates’ guests, election count agents and accredited media can attend the count.
Count results for Mayor are expected in the early afternoon, followed by Ward Council and Parish Council.
