Voters in the Borough of Havant are being reminded to make sure they are registered to vote so they can take part in electing their new local and Hampshire County ward councillors on Thursday 7 May 2026.
We are encouraging as many people as possible to register before the elections take place. It’s quick and easy to register to vote, but it must be done before the deadline of midnight on Monday 20 April.
Research shows that young people, students and recent home movers are particularly less likely to be registered to vote. So, if you fall into one of these categories it is doubly important to make sure, you’re registered correctly.
It takes around five minutes to register – just make sure you have your National Insurance number to hand. It is easy to register online via the Government's Register to vote webpage, or you can download a paper form from GOV.UK's Register to vote (paper forms) webpage.
Registering is important
If you’re not registered, you can’t vote. It’s as simple as that.
You don’t need to register before every election. You need to register if:
- you’ve never registered to vote before
- you’ve just become old enough to register
You need to register to vote again if:
- you’ve moved house recently
- you’ve changed your name for any reason
You’ll stay registered to vote as long as you live at that address and don’t change your name. When you become old enough to vote in different elections, your record will be updated automatically.
Voter ID
Photographic ID is needed if you are voting in person at a polling station on Thursday 7 May. Accepted forms of ID include: passport; driving licence; an older person’s bus pass. For more details, visit The Electoral Commission's Voter ID webpage.
You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.
Voter Authority Certificates are available for eligible voters without acceptable photo ID. Voter Authority Certificates can be applied for until 5pm Tuesday 28 April.
Applications can be made online via GOV.UK's Apply for photo ID to vote webpage, by post or in person. Help and advice is available by contacting Havant Borough Council's Elections Team at elections.office@havant.gov.uk or call 023 9244 6225.
What wards will be having an election this year?
On Thursday 7 May you will be able to vote for one local councillor within your ward as well as a Hampshire County Council representative councillor.