All the key dates you need to know for the Borough and Parish elections on 4 May

Boston Borough Council and surrounding parishes will go to the polls on Thursday 4 May 2023.

The elections taking place in Boston (if contested) are:

• All 30 councillors across 15 wards in Boston Borough
• All 148 seats across 21 Parish Councils.

Nominations are open and if wards are contested, an election will take place on Thursday 4 May.

Between now and 4 May there are some key dates you need to be aware of to ensure you get the opportunity to have your say.

Residents who have recently moved house will need to register at their current address in order to be eligible to vote. The process takes just five minutes. Apply at gov.uk/register-to-vote

For the first time, residents in England will need to show photographic ID to vote at this year's local elections.

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers' licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person's bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo. 

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate at www.voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or by completing a paper form.

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission's website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.

Michelle Sacks, Returning Officer for Boston Borough Council, said: "There are less than six weeks to go before elections take place on 4 May so now is the time to check you are registered to vote and apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if you have not got any other forms of ID.

"It is really important everyone has a say in how they want their district, towns and parishes to be run - every vote really does matter. Taking part in the election is the only way you can have a say on who represents you for the next four years.

"Polling stations will open from 7am-10pm but there are other ways you can vote too, including by post and by proxy.

"Please check the important dates below to help ensure you are ready to vote on May 4."

Here are all the dates to help you plan ahead for voting on 4 May:

• Publication of statement of persons nominated for the election - No later than 4pm on Wednesday, 5 April 2023.
• Register to vote applications to the Electoral Commission - Midnight on Monday, 17 April 2023.
• Deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications - No later than 5pm on Tuesday, 18 April 2023.
• Deadline for changes to existing postal or proxy voting - No later than 5pm on Tuesday, 18 April 2023.
• Deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) - No later than 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.
• Voter ID deadline for receiving applications for Voter Authority Certificates - No later than 5pm on Tuesday, 25 April 2023.
• First date electors can apply for replacement of lost postal votes - Thursday, 27 April 2023.
• Polling Day - 7am-10pm on Thursday 4 May 2023.
• Last time that electors can apply for a replacement for spoilt or lost postal vote - No later than 5pm on Thursday 4 May 2023.
• Deadline for emergency proxy applications - No later than 5pm on Thursday 4 May 2023.

For more information on the elections, voter ID, registering to vote and for candidates to download nomination packs, please visit www.boston.gov.uk/elections or call the electoral services team on 01205 314200