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Current and future elections

Voters are now required to show photographic ID in the polling stations, further information can be found at www.fdean.gov.uk/voterid

Upcoming elections

Gloucestershire County Council Election – Thursday 1 May 2025 

The Forest of Dean district comprises of 8 electoral divisions. 

Electoral Divisions Polling District 
Blakeney and Bream  NC, NCA, OG, OV, PBY, PP, PU, PUA, PV, PW, PX 
Cinderford  NIX, NIXA, NIXB, NIXC, NIZ, PBX 
Coleford  NJ, NJA, NJB, NJC, NJD, PD, PQ 
Drybrook and Lydbrook  NIY, NM, NN, NO, NY, OK, OL, ORA, PA, PS, PSA 
Lydney  ND, OM, ON, OO 
Mitcheldean  NE, NH, NK, OA, OE, OI, OR, PB, PHA, PI, PO 
Newent  NF, NQ, NX, OF, OS, OSA, OSB, OX, OY, OZ, PE, PN 
Sedbury  NA, OC, OT, OU, PF, PG, PJ, PK, PY 

One councillor will be elected for each division.

Key publication dates

  • Notice of election – Tuesday 25 March  
  • Statement of election agents – Thursday 3 April  
  • Statement of persons nominated - Thursday 3 April  
  • Notice of poll – Wednesday 23 April  

Information to voters 

Key dates for voters 

To request a paper application, email elections@fdean.gov.uk or call 01594 812638. 

Voting in person on Thursday 1 May 2025 

You can vote in person at your allocated polling station. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. If there is a queue, you can still vote if you join it before 10pm. 

Voter ID You will be required to show an accepted form of photographic identification to polling station staff before being issued with a ballot paper. 

If you do not already have any of the accepted forms of photographic identification, you will be able to apply either in person, by post or online, for a Voter Authority Certificate - a free photographic identification document specific for the purposes of voting. 

You can apply online here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. Alternatively, you can apply using a paper application form, please call 01594 812638 during office hours to request a paper application form. 

The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 

You can find a list of the accepted form of identification here. 

If your photographic identification document has expired, it will still be accepted as long as the photograph is still a good likeness of you. 

Poll cards 

Poll cards will be sent to everyone who is registered to vote in this election. You do not need a poll card to vote, but it makes voting quicker if you take it with you to your polling station. 

Sending out postal votes 

We will send out postal votes around; 

  • 14 April - for existing postal voters and new applications received before 4pm on 2 April 
  • 17 April - for postal vote applications received after 5pm 2 April  

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 14 April. 

If you think you will be away around these dates, we recommend applying for a proxy vote. 

Postal votes are sent first class, but we cannot guarantee delivery dates as this depends on the postal service. 

Information to Candidates 

Online Briefing for prospective candidates 

We are holding an online briefing session on Monday 3 March at 5.30pm (via Microsoft Teams) for anyone wishing to stand as a candidate in one of the eight electoral divisions in the Forest of Dean district.  

The briefing will inform Candidate and Agents of the timetable, nomination process and matters that will affect their campaign. 

If you would like to attend, please let us know by email elections@fdean.gov.uk or contacting us on 01594 812638 and we will email you the joining link. 

Nomination packs  

These will be available to download here w/c 24 February. If you would like a paper copy posted, please email your name, address, and the area you wish to stand to elections@fdean.gov.uk  

Please note that you should not sign the consent to nomination form earlier than one month before the deadline for submitting your nomination papers (not to be signed before 2nd March). 

Receipt of Nominations commences on Tuesday 25 March 2025 and closes at 4 pm Wednesday 2 April 2025. Nominations MUST be hand delivered to Deputy Returning Officer or his Assistant Deputy Returning Officer, Forest of Dean District Council, Council Offices, Reception, High Street, Coleford GL16 8HG 

Key dates for candidates 

Further information on the role and responsibilities of a County Councillor can be found by visiting Gloucestershire County Council.

You can find more information and guidance on the Electoral Commission's website here Candidates and Agents - Electoral Commission 

 

See also: How each type of election works

Related Pages

© Forest of Dean District Council 2025