Current and future elections
Important changes are coming for the May 2023 local elections
All residents voting in person at the May 2023 elections will be required to show an acceptable form of ID to be able to vote. This does not affect postal voting. Find out more here.
Any up and coming election details will be displayed here. See further info on our election results page.
Thursday 4 May 2023 – Local Elections
District Elections
Elections to Forest of Dean District Council will take place on Thursday 4 May 2023. There are 38 councillors to be elected across 21 wards.
To find out which area each ward covers please view the interactive map of polling district boundaries:
Interactive map of polling district boundariesThe following notices have been published by the (Deputy) Returning Officer:
Electoral Ward |
Number of District Councillors to be elected |
Statement of Persons nominated (published 5 April 2023) |
Notice of Election Agents (published 5 April 2023) |
Notice of Poll (published 25 April 2023) |
Polling Districts |
Berry Hill |
Two |
|
|
|
NJD, NY, PS, PSA |
Bream |
Two |
|
|
|
PP, PUA, PV |
Cinderford East |
Two |
|
|
|
NIXA, NIXB, NIZ |
Cinderford West |
Two |
|
|
|
NIX, NIXC, NIY |
Coleford |
Three |
|
|
|
NJ, NJA, NJB, NJC |
Dymock |
One |
|
|
|
NQ, NX, OF, OX |
Hartpury & Redmarley |
Two |
|
|
|
NF, NK, OA, OY, OZ, PB, PE, PN |
Longhope & Huntley |
Two |
|
|
|
NH, OE, OI, PI |
Lydbrook |
One |
|
|
|
OK, OL |
Lydney East |
Three |
|
|
|
ON |
Lydney North |
One |
|
|
|
OM |
Lydney West & Aylburton |
One |
|
|
|
ND, OO |
Mitcheldean, Ruardean & Drybrook |
Three |
|
|
|
NM, NN, NO, OR, ORA, PA |
Newent & Taynton |
Three |
|
|
|
OS, OSA, OSB, PHA |
Newland & Sling |
One |
|
|
|
OT, OU, PD, PQ |
Newnham |
Two |
|
|
|
NC, NCA, OG, OV, PBY |
Pillowell |
One |
|
|
|
PU, PW, PX |
Ruspidge |
One |
|
|
|
PBX |
St Briavels |
One |
|
|
|
NA, OC, PF, PG |
Tidenham |
Three |
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|
|
PJ, PK, PY |
Westbury on Severn |
One |
|
|
|
NE, PO |
Parish/Town Council Elections
Elections for all Parish and Town Councils across the district will also take place on the same day, with more than 300 seats to be decided.
The following notices have been published by the (Deputy) Returning Officer:
- Statement of Persons nominated – will be published 5 April 2023
- Notice of Poll – will be published 25 April 2023
Information to candidates
If you wish to stand as a candidate for the District Council elections or Parish/Town Council elections you will need to complete and submit nomination papers.
Nomination papers must be delivered in person to the Deputy Returning Officer, Council Offices, High Street, Coleford, GL16 8HG between 9:30am and 4pm on any weekday between Monday 20 March and Tuesday 4 April 2023. To assist the smooth running of this process we are asking all candidates and agents to book an appointment for their informal check and formal submission. Please email elections@fdean.gov.uk or call 01594 812638.
Deadline for receipt of nominations is 4pm Tuesday 4 April 2023, however we advise you to deliver your nomination before this date.
If you would like a paper copy posted to you, please email your name, address, and the area you wish to stand in to elections@fdean.gov.uk.
Guidance on how to complete the nomination paper
Electoral Commission guidance
Information to voters
May 2023 will be the first time that voter identification will be required to be shown by all voters at a polling station. This has been introduced under the Elections Act 2022.
To find out more about this new requirement please go to our Voter ID Page – what you need to do for May 2023 elections.
Key dates
- Deadline to Register to vote - Monday 17 April 2023. If you are not already registered or you have recently moved house, register now. Please go to gov.uk/registertovote (you will need your National Insurance Number).
- Deadline to apply for a Postal vote - 5pm Tuesday 18 April 2023 you can download an application form from: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voting-person-post-or-proxy/voting-post.
- Deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate - 5pm Tuesday 25 April 2023 You can apply online: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
- Deadline to apply for a Proxy vote - 5pm Tuesday 25 April 2023 you can download an application form from: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voting-person-post-or-proxy/voting-proxy.
or alternatively to request a paper application email elections@fdean.gov.uk or call 01594 812638.