Your guide to local elections in Beverley

There are important local elections in Beverley and East Riding on 4th May. With local voter turnout traditionally low (below 30%) we are publishing a series of articles to encourage people to get out and vote. Here are some frequently asked questions to get started with:

What type of elections are taking place?

The elections on 4th May are Ward elections. A ward election, also known as a county election, takes place to elect a councillor for your local ward who sits on East Riding of Yorkshire Council. There are 67 councillors who sit on East Riding of Yorkshire Council with your local ward being represented by usually two or three councillors.

In Beverley there are 3 main wards. Minster & Woodmansey which includes most of the Swinemoor and Cherry Tree area, Flemingate and all the way up to Morrisons taking in the entire Lincoln Way, Poplars and Normandy Avenue. As the name suggests, it also includes the village of Woodmansey.

Beverley St Marys ward, which includes Northern parts of Beverley town area, Molescroft, Westwood Road area around Butterfly Meadows and surrounding estate.

Finally there is Beverley Rural which includes villages such as Walkingon and as far as Leven to the North.

You can find more detail on the ward boundaries here:

Who can vote?

To vote at local ward elections or neighbourhood planning referendums you must be 18 years or over on polling day and registered to vote and be a British or qualifying Commonwealth, EU or Irish citizen,

Why should you vote?

Being able to vote gives you a say on who represents you in your local council, in the UK Parliament, in Europe and in your police area
At any election in your area, one or more candidates will be selected to represent you whether you vote or not. If you vote you get to have your say on who represents you. Some people are quick to say when they disagree with politicians, but if you don’t vote, you won’t be able to have your say
Across the world people have died fighting for the right to vote and be part of a democracy. It gives you a say on important issues that affect you – everything from roads and recycling in your area to education, crime and climate. Registering to vote doesn’t mean you have to, it just means you can if you want to.

Do I need to re-register to be able to vote in the upcoming election?

No. Providing that you are eligible to vote you do not need to re-register to vote in upcoming elections. However, if you have moved house since returning the annual canvass form (sent to residents in July 2018) and not notified electoral services then you will need to register to vote at your new property.

Do I need to bring ID or my poll card with me to be able to vote?

From Thursday 4 May 2023, when the next local elections will be held, the UK Government is introducing a new requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station. This also applies to proxy voters, who must show their photo ID – not the ID of the person who nominated them to vote in their place. It does not apply to postal votes.

Accepted forms of photo ID
You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:

• passport
• driving licence (including provisional license)
• blue badge
• certain concessionary travel cards
• identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• biometric Immigration document
• defence identity card
• certain national identity cards.

I do not have acceptable photo ID, what can I do?

If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply for this online.

For more information on the requirement for photo ID and help with a Voter Authority Certificate, or for a paper application form, please contact Electoral Services:

Tel: (01482) 393300
Email: electoral.services@eastriding.gov.uk

Please note: the deadline for applying for a Voter Authority Certificate is six working days before polling day.

Poll cards
You do not need to take your poll card with you to your assigned polling station unless you are an anonymous voter.
Please note: your poll card will not be accepted as a substitute for an accepted photo ID.

How do I apply for an emergency proxy?

An ‘emergency’ proxy vote can be applied from after 5pm, six working days before the election for those who could not have applied earlier because of unforeseen health or work reasons.

Please note: an emergency proxy does not include pre-planned hospital admissions or being called away for work at late notice.

For more information about how to apply for an emergency proxy visit the register to vote page.

Proxy applications
For information on applying for an ordinary proxy or postal proxy please visit the register to vote page.

Who are the candidates?

You can find a full list of candidates here