Local and parish elections, 4 May 2023
Election 2023 results
There will be all-out local and parish elections on 4 May.
Elections for our councillors will be for the new ward boundaries as set out by the Local Government Boundary Commission of England. In addition to the boundary changes, the elections will be for 63 councillors across the 31 wards.
Voter ID will be required to vote in all elections on 4 May.
Notices of poll and situation of polling stations
Central Bedfordshire Council
View notices of poll for ward councillors
Town and parish councils
View notices of poll for town and parish councillors
Polling stations
View list of polling stations (CSV)
Statements of persons nominated
Central Bedfordshire Council
View statements of persons nominated for ward councillors
View notices of election agents for ward councillors
Town and parish councils
View statements of persons nominated for town and parish councillors
Notices of uncontested election
View notices of uncontested election for town and parish councillors
Notices of election
Central Bedfordshire Council
View notices of election for ward councillors
Town and parish councils
View notices of election for town and parish councillors
Candidates
If you're interested in standing as a councillor, you can find more information on standing in local and parish elections on the Electoral Commission's website. Nomination papers can be requested from electoral.registration@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk and must be delivered by hand to Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands SG17 5TQ. You can request an appointment for a precheck to make sure that the information on your nomination paper is correct. We cannot accept nomination papers before 14 March 2023. The deadline for handing in your completed nomination form is 4pm on Tuesday 4 April. Please email electoral.registration@centralbedfordshire.go.uk for more information.
Electoral Commission Pre-Election Webinar
The Electoral Commission is hosting a pre-election webinar for candidates and their agents taking part in elections in England on 4 May.
The webinar provides an opportunity to gain essential information on the nomination process and the spending and donation rules, including information on:
- standing for election
- the nominations process
- when the spending rules apply
- how much you can spend
- notional spending rules
- who you can accept donations from
- what you need to report after the election
There will also be a chance to ask questions. If you have a specific question in advance, or topic you would like the Commission to speak about, please do get in touch before the event.
The webinar will take place virtually on Tuesday 7 March 2023 at 12pm –1pm. To confirm attendance please email Stuart Butler on sbutler@electoralcommission.org.uk
Registration
If you are already on the electoral role at your current address, you do not need to re-register for each election. Please ring 0300 300 8008 to check if you are not sure.
Poll cards
The poll card design has changed this year and will be an A4 information leaflet delivered to each registered elector in an envelope. Poll cards will be delivered over the weekend of 6 April to 11 April. The poll card will tell you where your polling station will be if you vote in person. It will also include a list of all acceptable forms of photographic ID.
Postal votes
You can apply for a postal vote if you are already on the register. The completed application form must be received by the electoral registration office by 5pm on 18 April 2023.
Postal vote packs for existing postal vote electors will be sent on Tuesday 11 April (for our ward councillor elections). New postal voters and contested parish elections will be sent out after this date.
Fully-completed postal packs must be received by 10pm on Thursday 4 May to be counted.
Please read the instructions carefully or your vote may not be entered into the count.
Key dates
- Notice of election: 13 March 2023
- Nomination period: 14 March 2023 until 3 April 2023 (weekdays only), 9am until 5pm, 4 April 9am until 4pm
- Register to vote deadline: midnight on Monday 17 April 2023
Register to vote - Postal vote deadline: 5pm on Tuesday 18 April 2023
Apply to vote by post - Proxy vote deadline: 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023
Find out how to vote by proxy
Voting statistics
The eligible electorate in Central Bedfordshire is 184285. Polling Station turnout – 48080 (26%). Number of polling stations 182.
The total number of people (and percentage of eligible electorate) trying to vote at a polling station who could not have a ballot paper issued because didn’t have valid ID: 123 (0.07% of total electorate or 0.25% of turnout in polling station).
Of those, the number who later returned with accepted ID and were issued with a ballot paper: 70.
Further information about elections
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Telephone: 0300 300 8052
Email: electoral.registration@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk