May 2024 elections

On Thursday 02 May 2024 a combination of local elections will take place in Colchester.

There will be elections for:

• Colchester City Council
• the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex
• some Parishes also have elections, that may be contested

More information and the relevant notices for each of these elections are available on their individual pages.

The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election ballot paper will be lilac. The city election ballot paper will be salmon.

Election timetable

Voting

Information and guidance for you as a voter can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.

You can register to vote online.

If you have registered to vote at your property and have not moved since, you do not need to re-register to vote.

If you are unsure if you are registered, you can contact us to check.

You are required to bring photo ID when voting at a polling station.

Find more information on voter ID requirements.

Postal and proxy votes

If you are unable to vote in person, you can apply for either a postal vote or proxy vote.

Any applications should be made as soon as possible. Postal votes will be sent on 16 April for those who have an existing postal vote or have applied before 28 March.

A second batch of postal votes will be sent on 19 April for those who apply between 28 March and the deadline of 5pm on 19 April.

Verification and count

All votes will be verified overnight following the close of poll at 10pm on Thursday 02 May.

• Colchester City election votes will be counted that same night with the result likely to be declared in the early hours of the morning.
• PFCC election votes will be counted on the afternoon of Friday 03 May.

Attendance at the verifications and counts will be via admission ticket from the Returning Officer only and will follow the legal requirements for such attendance.