Elections

On Thursday 1 May 2025, residents will have their say on how Lancashire County Council is run.  One County Councillor is to be elected in each of the following county divisions:

Mid-Rossendale

Rossendale East

Rossendale South

Rossendale West

Whitworth & Bacup

You can view the Notice of Election here.

How to stand as a candidate

You can find information on becoming a councillor at Elections — #MakeAChange (nalc.gov.uk)

Nomination packs will be available for collection from Wednesday 12 March 2025.  Please contact Electoral Services to request a pack.

The nomination period will be open from 9.00am on Monday 24 March 2025 and closes at 4.00pm on Wednesday 2 April 2025.

For more information about standing as a candidate or to obtain a nomination pack, please contact Electoral Services.  Further information and nomination forms are also available from the Electoral Commission.

Register to vote

Registered voters will be sent a poll card between the end of March and early April.  If you have not received a poll card by 6 April 2025, or you have recently moved, you may not be registered to vote.  You can register to vote online or contact Electoral Services and request a paper copy of the form.  The deadline to register to vote at these elections is midnight on Friday 11 April 2025.

Who can vote

To vote at these elections, you must be aged 18 or over on election day and be a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of a qualifying member state of the European Union or have retained rights.

Your name must appear on the Electoral Register before you can vote.

Voting by post

Voters who have already requested to vote by post will be sent a postal poll card around the end of March with information about their postal vote.  If you wish to cancel your postal vote and vote in person at your polling station, you must notify Electoral Services before 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025.

If you wish to apply to vote by post, you must submit your application before 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025.  You can apply for a postal vote online here.

If you require a postal vote because you will be away on election day but are going away before they are posted around 14 April (please see further information about issue dates below), you may wish to consider voting by proxy instead.  if you wish to vote by proxy, you must submit your application before 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025.  If you are already registered to vote by post, you must cancel your postal vote before 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025 if you now wish to vote by proxy.  You can apply for a proxy vote here.

When will I receive my postal vote?

If you are already registered to vote by post or your application reached us by 17 March 2025, your postal vote will be sent around 14 April 2025 by first class mail.  If we receive your application between 18 March and the deadline of 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025 then your postal vote will be issued around 22 April 2025.

If you have not received your postal vote by Friday 25 April 2025, please contact Electoral Services.

How do I complete my postal vote?

When you receive your postal vote, read the instructions carefully.  Your postal vote includes the ballot paper and a postal voting statement.  Complete both of these and return them straight away.  Completed postal votes need to be returned to the Returning Officer by 10pm on Thursday 1 May 2025.  If you miss the post you can hand your completed postal vote into any polling station in the Division in which you are registered or at Futures Park in Bacup.

If you need help to vote, you can ask someone you know or get independent help by contacting Electoral Services.

If you lose your postal vote or make a mistake, contact Electoral Services straight away.  A replacement postal vote can only be issued between Friday 25 April and 5pm on Thursday 1 May 2025.

Voting by proxy

If you will be away or cannot go to the polling station on 1 May, you can apply to vote by proxy.  This means someone else can vote on your behalf.

Completed applications must reach us before 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025.  Your appointed proxy must attend your polling station to vote on your behalf.  If they are unable to attend your polling station they can apply to vote by postal proxy but they must do so before 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025.  You can apply to vote by proxy here.

If after 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025 you have a medical emergency or learn you cannot go to the polling station because of work reasons, you can apply to vote by emergency proxy.  This means someone else can vote on your behalf.  The deadline for completed applications is 5pm on Thursday 1 May 2025.

How to vote

Always read the instructions on how to complete the ballot paper carefully, even if you have voted before.  The ballot paper lists the name of each candidate along with their party name and party logo (if any).

You are able to vote for one candidate only.  Simply put an X (a cross) next to the candidate you wish to vote for.

Who is elected

The candidate with the most votes is elected using the first past the post system.  A total of 5 County Councillors will be elected in Rossendale.  Each will serve a 4 year term of office.

Results

The count will take place on Friday 2 May 2025 at 10am.  Results will be announced throughout the day and will be published on this website.

More information

If you would like more information about these elections, please contact Electoral Services