Voting in 2024: Your Guide to the Elections
On Thursday 2nd May, voters across England will elect councillors and mayors, with police and crime commissioners being chosen in England and Wales. This is the final opportunity to participate in local elections before the next general election.
How have we helped you VOTE in 2024?
- Collaborated with New Europeans to provide accessible voting resources in Albanian and English.
- Conducted voting information sessions at Mansfield House to educate our community on the importance of voting.
- Partnered with Citizens UK on various campaigns, such as the Bus Campaign .
- Participated with 50 members in the Mayoral Assembly on April 25th, advocating for issues such as work and wages, housing, and support for migrants and refugees.
- Engaged with Citizens UK to become voting champions, facilitating voter registration and democratic participation.
Access some of those resources here:
Voting Resources from Shout Out UK
We and distributed resources from SOUK and participated in their Voter ID Public Awareness campaign, ensuring our community is informed about voting changes.
How to Vote?
- Voters can cast their ballots in person at polling stations, by postal vote, or by nominating a proxy.
- Eligible voters must be aged 18 or over, registered at an address in the area they wish to vote, and meet certain citizenship criteria.
- Voters in some areas will receive multiple ballot papers for different elections taking place.
ID Requirements
- Voters must show photo ID to vote in person, with 22 acceptable forms of ID including passports and driving licences.
- Those without valid photo ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate or emergency proxy vote.
We worked with councillors on community events, empowering our community members and promoting awareness of their rights.
Local Elections and Mayors
- Local councils are responsible for public services like elder care and road maintenance.
- Mayoral elections are taking place in several “metro” areas across England, with mayors controlling significant budgets and having authority over local issues like transport and housing.
Choose your Mayor by 2nd May
The Mayoral Assembly
At Shpresa Programme, we actively participated in the Mayoral Assembly, where we advocated for crucial issues affecting our community. During this assembly, we addressed pressing concerns such as work and wages, housing and repairs, and support for migrants and refugees. It was a platform for meaningful social dialogue between London Citizens and the mayoral candidates. Our presence at the assembly exemplifies our commitment to advocating for positive change and building a city of hope, justice, and endless possibilities.
What are the deadlines to register to vote or to request a postal or proxy vote?
You can still request an emergency proxy vote if last-minute work commitments or a medical emergency mean you can no longer vote in person on the day.
- You can do this up to 17:00 BST on polling day, Thursday 2 May.
- If you use a postal vote it must be with your local council by 22:00 on polling day.
- You can return your ballot papers by post in advance or hand them into a polling station or your local council on the day before the deadline.
Let's Summarise
What have we done at Shpresa Programme?
- Shpresa Programme actively participated in the Mayoral Assembly, advocating for important community issues.
- We addressed concerns such as work and wages, housing, and support for migrants and refugees.
- Our collaboration with various organizations, including New Europeans and Citizens UK, aimed to empower our community.
- We engaged in the Voter Registration Champion scheme and supported the ‘Voter ID Public Awareness’ campaign.
- Through community events with councillors, we continue to promote civic engagement and empower our community.
