Still time to apply for a postal vote for upcoming elections this May

• Postal vote requests must reach Council offices by 5pm on 18 April
• Need Voter ID? We can help at drop-in sessions
• May elections will be 'all-out'

Important local elections are taking place on 5 May 2023 and registering for a postal vote is quick and easy if you prefer not to attend a polling station.

The 2023 May local elections are 'all-out' elections. All-out elections are where all 45 seats on the Council are all to be elected on the same day. Three candidates will be elected in each ward, voters will therefore be able to cast no more than three votes for their chosen candidates. The Council must hold an ‘all-out election’ due to changes to ward boundaries. The elections will decide who represents you on West Lancashire Borough Council and on some parish councils.

Jacqui Sinnott-Lacey, Electoral Registration Officer for West Lancashire, said: "Applying for a postal vote only takes a few minutes so if you might be away or would be more comfortable voting by post then please apply soon.

"Voting by post also means you will not have to produce Voter ID at polling stations as this is now a mandatory requirement."

If you wish to vote by post, you can request an application form by emailing elections.office@westlancs.gov.uk, downloading an application form from www.westlancs.gov.uk/howtovote or calling the Elections Office on 01695 585014. Your completed application form must reach the Council by 5pm on Tuesday 18 April 2023.

If you have recently moved house, you will need to register at your new address by filling in an online registration form at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. For more information, please email elections.office@westlancs.gov.uk. You can check if you are registered to vote by calling the elections office on 01695 585014.  

Young people who will turn 18 in time to vote in these elections will also need to register to have their say.

If you do not have access to the internet, please ask the elections office for a paper registration form to be sent to you. The closing date to register to vote at the May elections is midnight on Monday 17 April.

If you need help accessing free voter ID to vote in the local elections, you can visit one of the drop-in sessions below.

Derby Street Offices - Monday to Friday throughout April, 9.30am to 4.30pm,

Customer Service Point, Concourse Shopping Centre, Skelmersdale, 19 April, 10am to 3pm.

We can take your photo – just bring your National Insurance number and an officer will take further details in person.