Don’t miss your right to vote, register by Monday 20 April 2026

The notices of election will be published on Monday 30 March 2026 which marks the start of the election period.

Cheltenham residents wishing to vote – who are not yet registered – need to register to vote online by Monday 20 April 2026. It takes just five minutes. Residents can check whether they’re registered to vote by calling 01242 262626.

Once registered, voters have a range of options – they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote on their behalf, known as a proxy vote.

Electors are urged to check their poll cards when received as their polling station may have changed. When voting in person, residents in Cheltenham will need to show photo ID and are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote by checking they have an accepted form of ID.

To find out which ID you can use in the polling station, visit the Electoral Commission website. Most people already have valid photo ID and won’t need to take any action. If you do not have one of the accepted types of ID, you can apply for free ID or by completing and submitting a paper form to the Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 9SA. Completed applications must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.

Anyone wishing to have a postal vote, postal proxy or to make changes to an existing postal vote for the elections on Thursday 7 May, must return their application form by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April.  Photo ID is not required if you have a postal vote. If you have a postal vote, where possible, please post your postal vote pack back to us in plenty of time ahead of polling day. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can bring your postal vote into reception at the Municipal Offices during office hours, but you will be required to sign a declaration before handing it in. There are now limits to how many people you can hand in postal votes for. An elector can hand in their own postal vote as well as postal votes for up to five other people. This is now the law.

Residents wishing to apply for a proxy vote should return their application form by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April. A proxy vote is having someone vote on your behalf.

Gareth Edmundson, electoral registration officer at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “Don’t lose your chance to vote at the elections in May. Local elections are an important opportunity to have your say on who represents you and makes decisions about issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Cheltenham.

“If you’re in doubt about whether you need to register to vote, or have questions about how to apply for a postal or proxy vote, or free ID, you can contact the electoral services team on 01242 264132, email [email protected].”

Niki Nixon, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, said: “It’s important that people check they’re ready to vote ahead of the upcoming local elections. All voters must be registered, and some may need to apply for a postal, proxy vote or free ID.

“If you’ve changed address or moved home since you last registered, it takes just five minutes to update your details online. Checking now helps make sure you can vote in a way that’s right for you. 

“Voters will also need to show photo ID at polling stations this May. Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID can apply for free ID online or by submitting a paper form to their local council.”

Clear, trusted information about registering to vote and all your voting options can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.

For more information visit our upcoming elections webpage.

For more information contact the council’s communications team on 01242 264231 or email [email protected].

Or contact the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, or [email protected].

Notes:

The next elections taking place on 7 May 2026 are borough and parish. Cheltenham Borough Council is responsible for holding elections for the 20 wards in Cheltenham, each of which are represented by two councillors.

• The deadline to register to vote is midnight on 20 April.

  • The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 21 April.
  • The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on 28 April.
  • The deadline to apply to use the Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on 28 April

• As of 1 May 2026, HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards can also be used as voter ID.