HACKNEY ELECTION 1920 x 1080

Hackney is voting for a new Mayor on Thursday 9 November.

You can view all the candidates here.

The Mayor leads the Council and works alongside councillors who represent residents and their wards (designated areas of the borough in which you live) to make decisions affecting the lives of everyone in the borough. 

The elections take place between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 9 November and the results will be announced on Friday 10 November.

Before you can vote, you will need to make sure you are registered first. 

If you’re not registered, you can do that here.

It only takes five minutes. But be quick because you need to do that before 24 October.

Voter ID

This year, things are a little different. This is due to changes to election laws which came into force earlier this year

If you vote in person, you will need to bring photo ID with you. This can be your 

• Driving licence (UK or issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands)
• Passport (UK or issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country)
• Blue Badge
• Oyster 60+ Pass
• Freedom Pass 

The full list of acceptable ID is here.

If you don’t have any of the ID listed, then you will have to apply for a special voter ID, known as a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) before 5pm on 1 November. But you must be registered to vote first before you can apply for the voter ID. 

Please be aware, that if you wear a face covering, election staff will need to double check you are the same person who appears on the photo ID you have presented. This will be carried out safely, privately behind a privacy screen, and by a same-sex member of staff where possible.  

Key dates

• Tuesday 24 October: Deadline for registering to vote (midnight)
• Wednesday 25 October: Deadline for postal vote applications (5pm)
• Thursday 26 November: Postal vote packs start to arrive
• Wednesday 1 November: Deadline for Voter Authority Certificates (5pm)
• Thursday 9 November May: Polling Day (7am–10pm)
• Friday 10 November: Votes are counted and the new Mayor of Hackney is declared  

Who can vote?

All voters must be 18 years of age on or before 9 November 2023.

Your name must be included on the Register of Electors for Hackney. If you’re not registered, you can’t vote. 

All registered British, Commonwealth, Irish and European Union citizens are entitled to vote. British overseas electors are not entitled to vote. 

Who needs to register or reregister? 

• If you have turned 18 on or before 9 November 2023 
• If you have never registered before
• If you have moved house recently. If you’re a student, make sure you’re registered at the correct address.
• If you have recently changed your name.

Register here before midnight on 24 October.

How do I vote?

Every registered elector receives a poll card which explains where you should vote.

Poll cards are different this year - they will be in an envelope.

For details of your polling station, you can also visit: hackney.gov.uk/elections

This year, electors can only vote for one mayoral candidate. This is due to changes in the electoral law which came into force earlier this year. You will not be given an option of a second choice. 

Mark an ‘X’ by the person you want to be Mayor. 

What to do if you make a mistake on your ballot paper

• Don’t put it in the ballot box, speak to polling staff 
• Your spoilt paper will be taken from you, and will be placed in a secure envelope

How to vote

• Go to your designated polling station
• You can only vote at the polling station listed on your polling card. If you go to another station you will not be able to vote there
• If you can’t get to your polling station you can vote via a postal vote or proxy vote - the deadlines to apply are above. Visit: hackney.gov.uk/ways-to-vote
• Tell the polling staff your name and address so they can check that you are on the electoral register. You don’t need your polling card to vote. 
• But you do need to show your acceptable form of voter ID to vote. Have this out and ready to show.  
• Polling staff will give you one ballot paper 
• Take your ballot paper into a polling booth so that no one can see how you vote
• Read the ballot paper carefully, it will tell you how to cast your vote
• Don’t write anything else on the papers or your vote may not be counted
• When you have marked your vote, fold the ballot paper in half and put it in the secure ballot box. Do not let anyone see – or influence – your vote.
• If you are still not sure what to do, ask the polling staff to help you

Postal voters

• Applications for new postal votes have to be received by the Council by 5pm on Wednesday 25 October, 
• If you have registered for a postal vote, a pack will be posted to the address you requested from 25 October. Postal votes are sent in batches depending upon the date you applied.
• Please ensure your completed ballot is received by the Returning Officer before 10pm on 9 November. 
• The Returning Officer is encouraging people to ensure they post back their vote in good time, to avoid needing to take it to a polling station on Election Day.

Proxy voters

You can appoint someone else to cast your vote on your behalf if you wish. Proxy voter applications must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 1 November. Apply here: hackney.gov.uk/ways-to-vote or call 020 8356 3232.

Emergency proxy voters

If you are unexpectedly taken ill or are suddenly called away for work purposes after 5pm on Wednesday 1 November and cannot go to vote in person, you can appoint an emergency proxy to vote for you. You will have to give a reason why you cannot vote in person and your application must be supported by a doctor or your employer. Apply for an emergency proxy vote here: hackney.gov.uk/ways-to-vote or call 020 8356 3232. We must receive this application by 5pm on Thursday 9 November. 

How to vote for the Mayor

This year, electors can only vote for one candidate. This is due to changes in the electoral law which came into force earlier this year. You will not be given an option of a second choice. Mark a cross by the person you want to be Mayor. 

What to do if you make a mistake on your ballot paper

• Don’t put it in the ballot box, speak to polling staff 
• Your spoilt paper will be taken from you, and will be placed in a secure envelope

When to vote

• Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 9 November 2023 
• You must be inside the actual polling station, or have been issued with a wristband indicating you are in the queue for polling, by 10pm in order to still get a ballot paper
• If there's a queue at this time, you'll still be able to vote if you were in the polling station, or queue to get in, before the 10pm deadline.

The count and results

• The count will take place on Friday 10 November
• The result will be posted on the Council’s website tweeted on Twitter (follow us at @hackneycouncil) as soon as it is is confirmed
• A copy of the results will also be available to view at Hackney Town Hall.

Voter fraud 

Your vote is yours alone. Whether you vote at a polling station, by post, or via a proxy, it’s your decision. It’s illegal for anyone to influence you to vote against your will. Electoral fraud is a serious crime and those who commit it can be sentenced to time in prison.

What is voter fraud? 

Voter fraud can take many different forms. No-one, not even a partner or family member, is allowed to: 

• Pressure you into voting a certain way
• Offer you something in exchange for your vote 
• Pretend to be you at the polling station 
• Complete your postal vote for you 

What to do if you’ve seen or been a victim of voter fraud 

If someone tries to take your vote, or the vote of anyone you know, call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit.