Today marks the official start of the pre-election period for the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections being held on May 2.
The notice of election was issued at 8am, and from today the candidates who wish to stand for Mayor of London and the London Assembly can submit nomination papers (nominations close at 4pm on March 27).
Mary Harpley, the returning officer for Greater London, said, “Londoners should know they can shape London’s future.
“It is imperative that Londoners know when, where and how to vote: we want everyone to be able to make their mark on May 2.
“We need to ensure that Londoners get the message loud and clear that this election will be different from those before, with the introduction of voter ID and a change to a single vote for Mayor.
“Voting for the 25 Assembly Members is unchanged, for which Londoners will have two votes – one for their Constituency Assembly member and one for a London-wide member.”
Anyone wanting to find out more can go to LondonElects.org.uk. Every registered voter will also receive an information booklet in April.”
Register to vote
You can vote if you are:
- Aged 18 or over on May 2, 2024
- A British, qualifying Commonwealth or EU citizen
- Living in London
- Registered to vote by April 16, 2024
To register to vote, visit: gov.uk/register-to-vote
Bring photo ID
Information available: the official websites include full details of how to register and how to obtain a valid ID document
If you are voting in a polling station, you must bring a valid form of photo ID (click here to check whether you have accepted ID).
If you do not have an accepted document, you can apply for free photo ID by 5pm on April 24. A full explanation of what you need and how to apply for the free ID document can be found by clicking here.
How to vote
You will be issued with three ballot papers for the London elections.
Vote for Mayor of London using your pink ballot paper – you have one choice.
Use the yellow ballot paper to vote for a London Assembly Member to represent your local area.
And use the orange ballot paper to vote for an Assembly Member to represent the whole of London. Make once choice for each.
Your polling station will be open from 7am until 10pm on election day. Before May 2, you will receive your polling card through your door. This will include details of your polling station and a full list of accepted forms of photo ID. On polling day, you will be asked to show your ID before you can be issued with ballot papers.
How we voted last time: when the covid-delayed London elections were held in 2021, this is how Sutton and Croydon voted for its Assembly member
You can also vote by post. You must apply by 5pm on April 20 (click on this link for details of how to apply) Your ballot papers will be sent to you about a week before Election Day. Mark your votes and return them to arrive before 10pm on May 2.
You can also vote by proxy. This is when a person you trust votes for your chosen candidates on your behalf if you are unable to make it to the polling station. If you want a proxy vote, apply by 5pm on April 24, 2024 (click on this link for more details). The deadline to apply for a proxy vote as a result of an emergency is 5pm, Thursday May 2, 2024.
In all instances, to find out more, visit londonelects.org.uk
The last day to register to vote in the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections is Tuesday April 16 2024.
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