All of England will be going to the polls tomorrow for the local elections, with London residents electing a mayor as well as London Assembly members.
Sadiq Khan will be fighting to stay on as mayor, with Conservative Susan Hall, Liberal Democrat Rob Blackie, and more candidates fighting for the seat.
The London Assembly will also be reelected. The assembly is made up of 25 representatives and is separate from the mayor's office. Its function is to hold the mayor to account via committees, such as those focusing on police and crime and transport, and interrogations during Mayor's Question Time.
The public votes for two different Assembly Members - one to represent their local constituency and one for London overall. There are 14 Members of the London Assembly that represent different constituencies, and there are 11 Assembly Members that represent the whole of London.
READ MORE: London Assembly election candidates 2024 in every borough
Where is my local polling station?
Every voter is assigned one polling station that they must use. Confusingly, your nearest polling station may not be the one you are assigned to, but it should be fairly nearby.
The address for your polling station will be sent on your polling card, which should have arrived by now. If you haven't received it or you've lost it, fear not, as you don't need it.
You can input your postcode here on Where Do I Vote? to check your nearest polling station. Polling stations open at 7am and close at 10pm.
READ MORE: London local elections 2024 - when results will be announced
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Do I need to bring my own pencil?
Pencils, usually attached to a string inside the polling booth, have always been supplied in polling stations for local elections, general elections and referenda.
However, it's acceptable to bring your own pencil or pen to mark your ballot, reports WalesOnline.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about London Assembly elections 2024
Who are the candidates running for Mayor of London?
Femy Amin, Animal Welfare Party - People, Animals, Environment
Count Binface, independent
Rob Blackie, Liberal Democrats
Natalie Campbell, independent
Howard Cox, Reform UK - London Deserves Better
Amy Gallagher, Social Democratic Party
Zoë Garbett, The Green Party
Tarun Ghulati, independent
Susan Hall, The Conservative Party
Sadiq Khan, Labour Party
Andreas Michli, independent
Brian Rose, London Real Party - Transform London
Nick Scanlon, Britain First - No To Immigration
Sign up for MyLondon's WhatsApp alerts for London 2024 election updates here.
Do I need ID to vote?
Until last year, it was fine to walk into a Polling Station, give your name and cast your vote. But it is now a requirement to show ID of some form.
So, before you head off to vote on Thursday, make sure you have some ID. The good news is a wide range qualifies, meaning that almost everyone should have something they can show, reports WalesOnline.
According to gov.uk, voters need to show photo ID when voting in person in some UK elections or referendums. These are:
- UK parliamentary elections, including general elections and by-elections
- recall of MP petitions in England, Scotland and Wales
- local elections in England (including councils, mayors, the Greater London Authority and parishes)
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales
- neighbourhood planning referendums in England
- local authority referendums in England (including Council Tax increase referendums)
You’ll need one of the following types of photo ID to vote:
- a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- a driving licence issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
- a UK passport
- a passport issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
- a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- a Blue Badge
- a biometric residence permit (BRP)
- a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
- a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
- a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
- a Voter Authority Certificate
- an Anonymous Elector’s Document
You can also use one of the following travel passes as photo ID when you vote:
- an older person’s bus pass
- a disabled person’s bus pass
- an Oyster 60+ card
- a Freedom Pass
- a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
- a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass
The photo on your ID must look like you. You can still use your ID even if it has expired.
If you’re voting as someone’s proxy
You’ll need to take your own ID when you go to vote on someone else’s behalf. You do not need to take theirs.
If you’ve changed your name
The name on your ID must match your name on the electoral register. If it does not, you’ll need to either:
- register to vote again with your new details
- take a document with you to vote that proves you’ve changed your name (for example, a marriage certificate)
Small differences do not matter. For example, if your ID says ‘Jim Smith’ instead of ‘James Smith’.
If you do not have accepted photo ID
If you do not have a type of photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. While it's too late to get one for this week's elections, make sure you apply in time for the General Election, which is expected later in 2024.
