Do I need my polling card on 4 May?

A sign reading "polling station" attached to railings outside the entrance to a building

Many residents across Westmorland and Furness will have received a polling card in the post ahead of the local elections on 4 May 2023.

You will only need to go along to the polling station if your parish/town council election is contested. This means the number of candidates standing is greater than the number of seats available.

If your parish/town council is uncontested, you do not need to attend the polling station on 4 May, even if you received a polling card in the post. Elections are uncontested when the number of candidates standing does not exceed the number of seats available.

You can simply recycle your polling card if your local election is uncontested.

There will also be a by-election on 4 May for the Old Barrow and Hindpool ward on Westmorland and Furness Council, following the death of Councillor Ann Thomson in January.

To find out if your parish/town council election will be contested or not, please check the lists below. If you are not sure if there is a contest in your area contact the local office using the details on your poll card.

Residents are also reminded that from 4 May 2023 everyone voting in person will need to show photo ID.

Click here to check if you have an accepted form of photo ID, or to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm on 25 April 2023.

Postal vote applications for the local elections on 4 May 2023 are now closed, but you can still apply for a proxy vote, where someone you trust votes on your behalf. Click here by 5pm on 25 April to apply.

 

Contested election – polling card needed

Asby

Barrow – wards of Walney North, Walney South, Barrow Island, Hindpool, Central, Ormsgill, Parkside, Risedale, Hawcoat, Newbarns and Roosecote (including a Westmorland and Furness Council by-election in Old Barrow and Hindpool)

Crosby Ravensworth

Kirkby Stephen

Matterdale

Musgrave

Penrith – wards of Penrith North, Penrith South and Penrith West only.

 

Uncontested election – polling card NOT needed

Ainstable

Aldingham

Alston Moor

Appleby

Arnside

Askam and Ireleth

Askham

Bampton

Bandleyside

Barbon

Barton and Pooley Bridge

Beetham

Bolton

Brough

Brougham

Burneside

Casterton

Castle Sowerby

Catterlen

Clifton

Culgaith

Dacre

Dalton with Newton

Duddon

Dufton

Egton-with-Newland, Mansriggs and Osmotherley

Glassonby

Grange-over-Sands

Great Salkeld

Great Strickland

Greystoke

Hesket

Hunsonby

Hutton

Hutton Roof

Kirkby Ireleth

Kirkby Lonsdale

Kirkby Thore

Kirkoswald

Lakes

Langwathby

Lazonby

Lindal and Marton

Long Marton

Lowther

Lupton

Melmerby

Milburn

Morland

Mungrisdale

Murton

New Hutton

Old Hutton and Holmescales

Orton

Ousby

Patterdale

Pennington

Penrith – wards of Penrith Carleton, Penrith East and Penrith Pategill only

Preston Patrick

Ravenstonedale

Shap

Skelsmergh and Scalthwaiterigg

Skelton

Skelwith

Soulby

Stainmore

Tebay

Temple Sowerby

Threlkeld

Underbarrow and Bradleyfield

Urswick, Bardsea and Stainton

Warcop

Windermere and Bowness

Yanwath and Eamont Bridge.