Be in the know ahead of local elections

Preparations for local elections taking place in West Northamptonshire on Thursday 1 May are in full swing.

With elections taking place for both West Northamptonshire Council and at Town and Parish level, we are promoting some of the key messages for voters as well as those considering standing.

Key deadlines for voters include:

Registering to vote

• Anyone not yet registered to vote has until Friday 11 April to do so in order to vote in these elections
• Register to vote here

Voting by post or proxy

• Those wishing to vote by post have until 5pm on Monday 14 April to submit their application
• The deadline to organise a proxy vote (nominate someone to vote on your behalf) is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April
• Apply for a postal or proxy vote

Voter ID

• You must have a valid form of photo ID to vote in person at a polling station
• Anyone without an accepted form of ID (such as a passport or driving licence) can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate up to 5pm on Wednesday, 23 April
• Apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate

Information for candidates

Town and Parish Clerks should have received emails recently explaining the nomination process for candidates wishing to stand in Town or Parish elections. The emails contained a nomination pack, elections timetable, and details of the appointment system for the submission of nomination papers.

General information about the process, including eligibility criteria, can also be found on our Elections 2025 page

People wishing to stand as candidates will be able to submit nomination papers from Monday 17 March until the deadline of Wednesday 2 April 2025.

Due to expected numbers, we will be running an appointment system for the submission of nomination papers. Appointments are 15-minute slots and can be booked by emailing ReturningOfficer@westnorthants.gov.uk with your name, date and time you'd like to come in and a contact telephone number, or by calling the Elections Team on 01604 526130.

A briefing will take place on 9 April for those candidates that are in contested areas. The briefing will cover arrangements for the count, code of conduct and postal voting. An email will be sent to all candidates of contested areas after 2 April with a link to the Teams event.

Find out more information on our Elections 2025 page