Lancashire County Council Elections

Lancashire County Council elections are taking place on Thursday 1 May 2025.

There is one vacancy in each of the 9 divisions in Preston.

More details about this are available on Elections - Lancashire County Council

Would you like to stand as a Candidate?

Nomination packs to apply to stand as a candidate at the local elections will be available around the beginning of March.

You will also be able to download a copy of all the documents from this page. Further details will be provided nearer the time.

Be A Councillor information evening

The be a Councillor information evening will take place on Wednesday 5 February 2025, 6.00pm at County Hall, Preston (entry from 5.30pm).

To book your place visit Local Government Association - be a Councillor.

If you're considering becoming a councillor or want to find out more about the role of a councillor, you are invited to come along to an information evening.

Please book your place in advance on Be a Councillor.

Free parking will be available on the Arthur Street staff car park, sat nav PR1 8XB, and you should enter the building via Pitt Street reception. There will be an opportunity to find out more about the County Council, the role of councillors, ask questions about the election process and informally speak with council officers about the support available.

Candidates and Agents Meeting

A meeting of all candidates and agents is to be held on Thursday 10 April 2025 at 6pm. Further details to follow nearer the time.

Going on holiday?

Please apply for a postal vote as soon as possible. You can vote by post or proxy.

For further information, visit How to Vote. The deadline for us to receive your application to vote by post is at 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025.

The deadline for us to receive your application to vote by proxy is at 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025.

If you would like a postal vote because you will be away on 1 May 2025, please be aware that we have two lots of despatch dates. One for current postal voters and another for new postal voters.

Please be aware that if you apply for a postal vote close to the deadline date, then the ballot papers will be despatched close to the election which will require a fast turnaround. These despatch dates will be available shortly.

If that doesn't fit in with your plans, you can apply for a proxy up to 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025.

When should I register to vote?

You can register now.  It is advisable to register early.  If you are already on the register, you do not need to register again.

If you are not on the register, you can apply online at Gov.uk. More information is available on Register to vote

How do I vote?

At the Polling Station

You can vote at the polling station and will be sent a poll card prior to the election. Please remember to bring your ID with you. If you do not have any ID to show the polling station staff, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply for a Certificate on Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

Vote by Post

If you would like to vote by post at these elections, please apply as early as possible so that you will receive your ballot papers in good time.

You can apply to vote by post online at  Apply for a postal vote . You will need to provide your national insurance number when you apply. There will be two despatches of postal ballot papers, the second one being close to the election so if you apply early, your ballot papers could be included in the first despatch.

More information about different voting methods is available on How to vote.

Voter ID

Most people will already have ID.  The list of ID is here:

• Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
• Photo Driving Licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state
• A Blue Badge
• Older Person's Bus Pass
• Disabled Person's Bus Pass
• Oyster 60+ Card
• Freedom Pass
• Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
• Biometric immigration document
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• National identity card issued by an EEA state
• Identity card bearing Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy. You cannot show a copy on your mobile phone.

You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.

Important Dates

• The last date to register to vote for the Lancashire County Council elections is Friday 11 April 2025.
• The last day for us to receive your application to vote by post at these elections is 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025.
• The last day for us to receive your application for a Voter Authority Certificate for use at these elections is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025
• The last day for us to receive your application to vote by proxy at these elections is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025.

Lancashire County Council Election Timetable

YouTube Video - Be a Councillor 2024