Elections are just around the corner for large parts of the UK, including Sheffield. Here’s a full run down of what to expect and how to prepare.
When are the elections?
The local elections will be held on Thursday 4th of May 2023, with polling stations open from 7am to 10pm.
Where do I go to vote?
Polling centres are held in various spaces such as local schools or town halls. You can find your closest polling centre here: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-city-council/voting/polling-stations.
What do I need to bring with me?
This year, the government is rolling out new laws with Voter ID across local elections. This means that voters will have to bring a valid form of photo ID in order to vote.
Nick Sutton from the Local Government Association, says: “Trials have been going on for a number of years in different council areas, with different types of ID and they say it’s to make elections more secure.”
The new laws have been met with harsh criticism from the public, however the government has continued to defend them and implement them across the country.
Sutton says: “If people don’t have valid ID councils can tell them to come back with valid ID, but they can also apply for a voter authority certificate either online or in person, ideally a week before elections.”
For more information about Voter ID, including what types are accepted, follow this link: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-city-council/voting/photo-id-youll-need-vote.
What are the key issues in this election?
There is a lot that candidates will likely focus on to win support, with some issues expected to be at the forefront of debates among both candidates and the public.
Joe Cooper, a Local Democracy Reporter, says: “The biggest issue has been the tree felling report, so with how damaging it was it’s a question of whether or not voters will punish the people that were part of it at the ballot.”
Voters are also expected to focus on the ongoing issue of cost of living, which may be a key battleground for candidates despite the council’s limited powers in that area.
Cooper says: “There are funds the council can tap into, and that will be in voters’ minds, but it’s a question of how many voters will associate the power of local government with how much they can help in the cost of living crisis.”