Middlesbrough Combined Elections 2023 – what you need to know

On May 4 this year, the town will go to the polls to decide its next elected mayor, its 46 ward councillors and parish councillors for Nunthorpe and Stainton and Thornton.

Applying for a Postal Vote

Registering to Vote

Middlesbrough residents are being urged to make sure they are registered to vote ahead of the local and mayoral elections scheduled for Thursday, May 4. All residents are responsible for registering themselves to vote; you must be registered to vote by midnight on Monday, April 17.

For more information and online registration, please visit: gov.uk/register-to-vote

Alternatively, for all enquiries or for support with applications, you can contact the Electoral Services team via:

Phone: 01642 729771

Email: elections@middlesbrough.gov.uk or

Write to: Electoral Services, Middlesbrough Council, PO Box 503, Town Hall, Middlesbrough TS1 9FX

Why vote by post?

> It could save you time.

> If you cannot attend the polling station to vote in person on polling day.

> It is quick and simple.

You can request to vote by post if you are already registered (ie you are already on the electoral register) by filling in a postal vote application form. These are available by contacting the Electoral Services team or downloading from the council’s websitemiddlesbrough.gov.uk/votebypost

If you are not yet registered, you can register and select the option to vote by post. The deadline for postal vote registration is 5pm on Tuesday, April 18. It is important that your completed postal vote is returned in good time, ideally one week prior to the election.

Voting by Proxy

Proxy voting means that if you are not able to cast your vote in person, you can have someone you trust cast your vote for you. Please note that the person who you choose to vote on your behalf will need to go to your registered polling station (the address will be on your polling letter) and show their own ID to cast your vote, or they can opt to vote by post. For more information and the necessary links for registration, please contact the Electoral Services Team or visit: middlesbrough.gov.uk/elections/ways-vote

The deadline for voting by proxy registration is 5pm on Tuesday, April 25.

Are you interested in standing as mayor or a councillor?

Middlesbrough Council needs different kinds of people willing to stand for election - councillors who are capable, vibrant, energetic and engaged, with a commitment to local people and a passion for change.

The council is currently in the process of delivering a series of briefing sessions for candidates, agents and people who are interested in standing for election. The next session will provide information regarding the nominations process and will take place at 10am on Friday, March 17 (venue TBC). There is no need to register in advance.

Voter ID

For the first time, new legislation (Elections Act 2022) requires that from Thursday, May 4, 2023, voters in England must show photo ID in order to vote at polling stations in some elections. This will apply to local elections, Police and Crime Commissioner elections, UK parliamentary by-elections, and Recall petitions. From October 2023, it will also apply to UK general elections.

Acceptable forms of photo ID include:

> A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country;

> A driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence;

> A blue badge; or

> A bus pass (older person’s or disabled person’s).

We're Hiring

Join The Elections Team

Middlesbrough Council is looking for individuals to work during the upcoming elections!

Poll clerk

Help the Presiding Officer run a polling station by setting up equipment, issuing papers to the public, marking the electoral register and accurately completing paperwork. Hours of work: May 4, 6.30am-10pm.

Count assistant

There is also extensive and easy to follow information for candidates and agents available on the Electoral Commission website –electoralcommission.org.uk

Please visit the Middlesbrough Council website for further local information. Details of persons standing for election will appear on the council’s website once the nominations process has closed. Following the elections, the results will be made available on the council’s websitemiddlesbrough.gov.uk/elections/ election-results

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. However, this must be the original version and not a photocopy. You can still use your photo ID if it is out of date, as long as it looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.

If you do NOT have an acceptable form of photo ID, you are unsure as to whether your photo ID still looks like you, or you are worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate on the government website gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voterauthority-certificate

The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for the elections on Thursday, May 4 is 5pm on Tuesday, April 25. You must be registered to vote before you apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

Count staff open ballot boxes, verify that the number of votes in the boxes matches the number of ballot papers issued and then count the votes for each candidate. Hours of work (approx.): May 4, 9.30pm2am, May 5, 9.30am-4pm.

All dates/times are correct at time of going to print but may be subject to change. All rates of pay are to be confirmed.

APPLY NOW

All applications to work on elections are through MEA – our secure online portal Please email recruitelections@middlesbrough.gov.uk with your name and home address (including post code)

We will then send you a link and login details for MEA so you can indicate your availability and select your preferred role.

In addition to those changes already identified, the Elections Act 2022 will introduce a number of other changes, including:

> Changes to the voting system for mayoral and PCC elections.

> Improving the accessibility of elections.

> Preventing undue influence.

> Changes for EU Citizens.

> Changes to overseas voting.

Further information regarding these changes, as well as a useful booklet entitled ‘Voter ID – Your Guide’, can be found on the council websitemiddlesbrough.gov.uk/elections-act-22

Information is also available on the Electoral Commission websiteelectoralcommission.org.uk