Elections are taking place in Oldham
On 2 May 2024, the local Oldham elections will be taking place alongside the Greater Manchester Mayoral Elections and there are important changes to the way you vote.
You'll be voting to pick a candidate for each neighbourhood for the next four years.
Unable to visit a polling station - apply for a proxy vote
If you can't make it to a polling station for the upcoming elections, you can appoint someone as your proxy to vote on your behalf. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.
Proxy voting allows someone else to vote for you. New rules for proxy voting came into effect on 31 October. Here's what's changed:
Now, in certain cases, you can apply online to be a proxy voter for someone else. When you apply, they verify your ID to ensure it's really you. This verification process applies whether you're applying online or using a paper form, except for emergency proxy votes.
Additionally, there's a new rule about how many people one person can vote for as a proxy. You can only vote for two people now. However, if you're voting for people from the UK who live in other countries, you can vote for up to four people. But out of those four, only two can live in the UK.
[Apply for a proxy vote]([link removed])
Make sure you are prepared – Voter ID requirements explained
You now need a suitable form of ID to vote at a polling station in person. If you don’t have a photo ID, [apply for a free Voter Certificate.]([link removed])
This only takes a few minutes to complete and you will need your national insurance number. The deadline to apply is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.
You can view the full list of accepted photo ID documents on the [Electoral Commission website]([link removed])
[Apply for Voter Authority Certificate]([link removed])
Who can hand in postal votes?
There are now, new rules for handling postal votes. Here's what's changed:
Political campaigners can't handle certain completed postal votes or their envelopes anymore.
If you can't post your postal vote in time, you can only hand in your own postal vote, and the postal votes of up to five other people, at a polling station or to the election office.
When you hand in your postal votes, you'll need to fill out a form that includes your name, address, how many postal votes you're handing in, and why you're doing it.
Political campaigners can't handle postal votes for other voters unless they're close relatives or someone they take care of regularly. It's now against the law, and it's a criminal offence.
If postal votes aren't handed in correctly, they'll be rejected.
[How to vote by post]([link removed])
Easier voting for a person living with disabilities
As of May 2023, it's easier for people living with disabilities to vote at polling stations. Now, they can bring anyone over 18 to help them, even if that person can't vote. This could include caregivers.
Also, there's better help available at polling stations. Officers must now make sure that people living with disabilities get the support they need. This means more types of help and faster assistance if it's needed.
How to find where your polling station is
Enter your postcode on the Electoral Commission website to find out where your polling station is.
Your polling station information will be available approximately two weeks before polling day. Your polling station will also be on your poll card.
[Find your polling station]([link removed])
www.oldham.gov.uk
[www.Oldham.gov.uk]([link removed])
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