Current Elections
On Thursday 4 May 2023, everyone who is eligible to vote will have the chance in vote in district elections in Babergh or Mid Suffolk.
Some residents will also be able to vote in parish or town council elections.
If you vote, you will help to choose local councillors who will make decisions on important issues like:
- where and how new housing gets built
- how we work to make sure there's enough affordable housing
If you plan to vote at a polling station on Thursday 4 May 2023, you will need to take photo ID with you.
Please visit our Voter ID webpage to learn more.
To be eligible for voting, you must be:
- registered to vote
- 18 or over on the day of the election
- a British, Irish, Commonwealth or EU citizen
- registered at an address in the area you want to vote in
- not legally excluded from voting
Register to vote
To cast your vote at this election, you must be registered to vote at your current address by midnight on Monday 17 April.
If you are not yet registered, please register to vote.
Who can I vote for?
We will publish a list of candidates who are standing at the election on our website on Wednesday 5 April 2023.
If you are voting at a polling station
Several weeks before election day, we'll send all registered voters a polling card that will confirm where you need to go to vote.
On election day, you will be able to vote at anytime between 7am and 10pm. Don't forget to take photo ID with you.
Apply to vote by post
To vote by post, you must apply by 5pm on Tuesday 18 April.
Learn how to apply to vote by post
Apply to vote by proxy
When you apply to allow someone to vote on your behalf, this is known as a proxy vote. To vote by proxy, you must apply by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April.
Learn how to apply to vote by proxy
Election notices
- Notice of Election - Babergh District Council
- Notice of Election - Mid Suffolk District Council
- Parish and Town Council Notices of Election (Babergh)
- Parish and Town Council Notices of Election (Mid Suffolk)
Information for election candidates, agents and parish councils
Please read our information for Election candidates, agents and parish councils.
Election results
We will count the votes on Friday 5 May 2023. You will be able to follow the results on our website, and via our social media channels.
Election key dates
- Monday 20 March - nomination period for candidates opens
- Wednesday 5 April - details of who you can vote for will be published (by 4pm)
- Monday 17 April, midnight - deadline to register to vote
- Tuesday 18 April, by 5pm - deadline to apply to vote by post
- Tuesday 25 April, by 5pm - deadline to apply to vote by proxy
- Tuesday 25 April, by 5pm - deadline to apply for a voter authority certificate (if you do not have photo ID)
- Thursday 4 May - voting day (7am - 10pm)
- Friday 5 May - election results day
A full election timetable can be accessed below.
If you have any other queries, please email our Elections team
Election Timetable
| Description | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Publication of notice of election (parish and town councils only) | Thursday 16 March 2023 | |
| Publication of notice of election (district councils only) | Thursday 23 March 2023 | |
| Deadline for delivery of nomination papers (all elections) | Tuesday 4 April 2023 | 4pm |
| Deadline for withdrawal of nominations (all elections) | Tuesday 4 April 2023 | 4pm |
| Deadline for appointment of election agents (all elections) | Tuesday 4 April 2023 | 4pm |
| Publication of statement of persons nominated (all elections) | Wednesday 5 April 2023 | 4pm |
| Deadline for receiving applications for registration | Monday 17 April 2023 | |
| Deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes | Tuesday 18 April 2023 | 5pm |
| Publication of notice of poll (all elections) | Tuesday 25 April 2023 | |
| Deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxy) | Tuesday 25 April 2023 | 5pm |
| Deadline for receiving new applications for Voter Authority Certificates | Tuesday 25 April 2023 | 5pm |
| Deadline for notification of appointment of polling and counting agents | Wednesday 26 April 2023 | |
| First date that electors can apply for a replacement for lost postal votes | Thursday 27 April 2023 | |
| Day of poll | Thursday 4 May 2023 | 7am - 10pm |
| Deadline for emergency proxy applications | Thursday 4 May 2023 | 5pm |
| Last time that electors can apply for a replacement for spoilt or lost postal votes | Thursday 4 May 2023 | 5pm |
| Verification | Thursday 4 May 2023 | |
| Count | Friday 5 May 2023 | |
| Deadline for receipt of candidate election expenses (parish) | Thursday 1 June 2023 | |
| Deadline for receipt of candidate election expenses (district) | Friday 9 June 2023 |