Residents urged to register to vote ahead of upcoming West Sussex County Council election

Residents in the Chichester District are being reminded of key voting deadlines following the Governments confirmation that the West Sussex County Council election will take place on Thursday 7 May 2026.

 

To cast their vote in this election, people must be registered by midnight on Monday 20 April 2026. Registering only takes five minutes and can be done online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Residents who are unable to register online or who need additional support can contact Chichester District Councils Elections team to request a form or for other support, by calling 01243 521010 or emailing elections@chichester.gov.uk.

 

Postal and proxy voting allows people to cast ballots without going to a polling station in person. The last day to apply for, or make a change to, a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026 and people can register to vote by post at: www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

 

Residents are being reminded that the law around handing in postal votes has changed in recent years and this means that anyone visiting Chichester District Council offices or a polling station to hand in a postal vote will need to sign a declaration form. Due to this, the council is asking people not to post votes through their letterbox, because they will be unable to accept them. Instead, voters will need to bring it to the councils reception where they will be asked to sign a form to confirm that the vote has been received. However, if someone posts their form to the council by Royal Mail, a signed declaration is not required.

Proxy voting allows people to authorise someone else to vote on their behalf. Recent changes to the rules mean that someone can only be proxy for up to two people. Anyone who votes on behalf of UK voters who live overseas can act as a proxy for up to four people (but only two of those can live in the UK). The last day to apply to vote by proxy is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026 and this can be done online at: www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote.

 

Voters will need to show photographic ID to vote. Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK or EEA drivers' licence; and, some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person's bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. The full list can be found at: www.electoralcommission.org.uk. Voters can use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo. People voting on behalf of someone else will also need to show an accepted form of ID.

 

Voters who dont have an accepted form of ID must apply for a voter authority certificate by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026. Please visit: www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-... or request a paper application form from Chichester District Councils Elections team by emailing elections@chichester.gov.uk or calling 01243 521010. A hard copy photo or electronic photo must be supplied with the application.

 

On Thursday 7 May 2026, polling stations will be open from 7am-10pm. Polling cards will be sent out to registered voters at the end of March, and people are being reminded to check their polling station on this card as it may have changed. People can also check their polling station here: https://wheredoivote.co.uk/.

 

For more information about the West Sussex County Council elections, including full details on how to vote, please visit www.chichester.gov.uk/election....