Vote on May 1

Elections to Kent County Council take place next month for the last time before the authority is abolished.

The Kent County Council (KCC) elections on May 1 come at a time of great change in local government across the country.

There are 81 seats in 72 “divisions” across, the vast majority of which are held by the Conservatives. There will be around 800 polling stations around the county.

The current make-up of KCC is: Conservatives 57, Labour 6, Liberal Democrats 6, Green Party 5, independents 2 and Reform UK 2.

Earlier this year, KCC applied to be accepted on Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s devolution fast track – which would have seen an elected mayor for the county and the eventual abolition of all 14 councils in Kent.

This would have meant the introduction of a much smaller number of large ‘unitary’ authorities.

KCC was not asked to join the devolution programme, meaning the May elections will go ahead as planned.

Although the election takes place on May 1, the results will not be known until the next day.

The first declaration will be made around lunchtime and the last in the evening.

Council officers are anticipating a number of possible recounts.

The authority is keen for as many people as possible to use their democratic mandate to elect the next ruling administration and is backed by independent organisations such as Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) and the Electoral Commission.

According to the LGiU: “At the most basic level, local elections are held for you to choose your local councillors – but it might not be immediately obvious why this is important.”

The LGiU says local councils like KCC are in charge of services such as education, social services, roads, trading standards, libraries and your local tip.

The deadline for becoming a candidate to stand at the election passed at 4pm on April 2nd.

Here are some important questions:

How do I get a vote?
You may have already received a polling card through the post. If you are eligible, the deadline to register is Friday April 11. You can apply at www.gov.uk/resgister-to-vote

Can I vote by post?
Yes. Many people send their votes through the post, especially if they cannot get to the local polling station. You do not have to give a reason.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Monday, April 14 2025. Applications can be made online: www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

Is it possible for someone to cast my vote for me?
Yes. It is called a ‘proxy vote’ where someone can go to the polling station on your behalf, perhaps because you may not be around at the time of the election – for instance, if you are away on holiday or business or in hospital. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025. If you cannot vote in person, someone can vote for you. You can tell them who to vote for. Applications can be made online: www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote

When is polling day and where do I go?
Polling day is Thursday, May 1, 2025. More than 800 polling stations will be open across the county between 7am and 10pm. Information about your polling station will be on the polling card you will receive from your city, district or borough council if you are registered to vote.

Do I need to bring photo ID with me?
Yes. You do not need to take your polling card to cast a vote but you will need a photo ID, such as a driving licence or passport, if you want to vote in person. If you do not have suitable photo ID you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC). This is a free photo ID document which you can use for voting. The deadline to apply for a VAC is by 5pm on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.  Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate can be made online: www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

Key dates for May 1 local elections at a glance
Friday 11 April – Voter registration deadline 
Monday 14 April (5pm) – Postal vote application deadline
Wednesday 23 April (5pm) – Proxy vote application deadline
Wednesday 23 April (5pm) – Voter Authority Certificate deadline
Thursday 1 May (7am – 10pm) – Polling day