With London elections, and a couple of Croydon by-elections (in Woodside and Park Hill and Whitgift wards) being held this Thursday, May 2, the council has (belatedly) issued its own guide to how you can take part in the democratic process – including how to get a vote even if you missed the ID application deadline.
PLUS: there’s our own online tool, provided by Democracy Club, to guide you to your candidates and polling stations to help you on election day.
Photo ID criteria
According to the council, “For the first time in Croydon, anyone voting at a polling station will need to show one of the acceptable forms of photo ID before they can cast their ballot.” Click here for the council’s guide to what is, and was is not, acceptable as photo ID.
“The ID must be the original and not a copy and should have the same name as your voter registration. Expired ID will be accepted if you are recognisable from the photo.”
Voting at your polling station
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.
The council says, “On arrival, a polling officer will verify your name and address, check your photo ID then hand you ballot papers for the London Mayoral elections.
“Voters in Woodside, and Park Hill and Whitgift wards will also receive a by-election ballot paper.
“If circumstances prevent you from voting in person, such as illness or work commitments, or you missed the voter ID application deadline, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote before 5pm on polling day.”
Click here for details of how to vote by proxy
Voting system in 2024
What the council does not explain is the voting system in the Mayoral and London Assembly elections this year.
For London Mayor, for the first time you will have only one vote. You must mark with an X your choice for Mayor from the 13 candidates on the pink ballot paper.
For the London Assembly, you have a choice between candidates in the Croydon and Sutton constituency. Again, you have just one vote, and you indicate your choice with an X on the yellow ballot form.
There is another vote for the London Assembly, for London-wide members, and this is based on a vote between parties or some individual candidates. Again, you have a single vote on this orange ballor paper, which you mark with an X.
Additional support for voters with a disability
Voters with a disability who need additional support at the polling station can contact Electoral Services before polling day by emailing: electoral.services@croydon.gov.uk or call 0300 373 0595 to make special arrangements.
Examples of support available at polling stations include provision of large print ballot paper or a special voting device, to help a blind or partially sighted person to cast a vote.
Handing in postal votes
The council says: “If you’re voting by post, return your completed postal vote in the pre-paid 1st class envelope provided.
“Alternatively, you can hand in postal votes in person at any polling station in Croydon or the Town Hall reception.”
The council says: “Anyone handing in a postal vote must complete a ‘Postal Vote Return Form’ or the postal vote will be rejected. Staff at the Town Hall and at the polling stations will give you this form, so allow extra time to do this.”
Postal votes must reach by the Returning Officer by 10pm on polling day.
Katherine Kerswell, the council’s chief executive, is the Returning Officer for Croydon.
Kerswell said: “We want to want to make it as easy as possible for residents to exercise their right to vote for the candidates they want to vote for to represent them and their community by ensuring they have access to the right information.
“We have lots of information on our website so if you’re not sure of anything, or you need any more support, do check it out or contact Electoral Services. Make sure your voice is heard.”
For more information on where to vote on May 2 and who is standing for election, use our widget here:
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Read more: All you will ever need to know about the 2024 London elections
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ROTTEN BOROUGH AWARDS: In January 2024, Croydon was named among the country’s rottenest boroughs for a SEVENTH successive year in the annual round-up of civic cock-ups in Private Eye magazine
