Local Elections ** New

Local elections take place on Thursday 4th May when all nine seats on the Parish Council (six in Charlwood, three in Hookwood) become vacant. The majority of existing Parish Councillors will be standing for office again but not all so there are openings for new candidates to come forward and commit to helping their community.

Information for Prospective New Candidates

To be eligible to stand for the Parish Council, candidates must be at least 18 years old on the day of nomination and British, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen (with indefinite leave to remain) or a national of an EU member state.

In addition you must have at least one of the following local connections:
* Registered local government elector for the Charlwood parish
* Occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises in the parish during the whole 12 months preceding nomination
* Your principal or only place of work (including unpaid) during the last 12 months was in the parish
* Live within three miles of the parish boundary

A Notice of Election will be published on 22nd March and nominations open the following day. Those nominations have to be filed with Mole Valley District Council by 4pm on 4th April.

More information for prospective candidates is available from the Parish Council Clerk on 07917088264 or via email at clerk@charlwoodparishcouncil.gov.uk. Mole Valley District Council is organising a briefing session for new candidates at 6:30pm on Monday 6th March.

Information for Voters

The 2023 elections will be the first time that voters will be required to show identification in order to vote at the polling station. This has been introduced under the Elections Act 2022.

Voters need to show an approved form of photo identity - it does not have to be current, provided the likeness is still true. The document must be an original document. The most commonly used ID include:

• Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
• Photographic driver’s licence issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (including provisional)
• European Economic Area (EEA) photographic ID Card
• UK Biometric Residence Permit
• An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram  (PASS card)*
• A Blue Badge
• A concessionary travel pass funded by HM Government or local authority 

If you do not have photo ID

Anyone without suitable photo identification can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) via the link below:
Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you are not able to apply online you can download a paper application form. The VAC will be posted directly to the voter. More information on the application process is available on the Electoral Commission's website via this link:
Applying for a Voter Authority Certificate | Electoral Commission

Key dates for Voters:

Deadline to register to vote - Midnight, 17th April
Postal vote deadline - 5pm 18th April
Proxy vote deadline - 5pm 25th April
Deadline to apply for VAC - 5pm 25th April
Deadline to return completed postal vote packs - 10pm 4th May