All of the 72 electoral divisions across the county, adding up to 81 county councillors in total, are up for election. Throughout the election period, information will be available at www.kent.gov.uk/elections including the results which will be announced at counts across Kent on 2 May 2025.
KCC’s Elections Team is keen to make sure that residents across the county are aware of the election and how to get involved.
Anyone wishing to stand as a candidate has from today until 4pm on Wednesday 2 April to submit their nomination papers to their local elections office, the details of which can be found on our How to become a councillor webpage.
If you are eligible, the deadline to register to vote is Friday 11 April 2025. Applications can be made online: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025. This is if you cannot get to the polling station. You do not have to give a reason. Applications can be made online: www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote
The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025. If you cannot vote in person, someone can vote for you. You can tell them who to vote for. This is called a proxy vote. Applications can be made online: www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote
Polling day is Thursday 1 May 2025. Polling stations (over 800 of them across the county) will be open between 7am and 10pm.
Information about your polling station will be on the polling card you will receive from your city, district or borough council if you are registered to vote. You do not need this card to cast a vote but you will need photo ID if you want to vote in person. If you do not have suitable photo ID you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC). This is a free photo ID document which you can use for voting. The deadline to apply for a VAC is by 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025. Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate can be made online: www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
Further information
To be a councillor you need to be:
- a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland. You may also be eligible as a citizen of the European Union, however the criteria has changed now that the UK has left the European Union. Please check the Electoral Commission’s website for guidance on EU citizens’ voting and candidacy rights in local elections.
- At least 18 years old.
- Registered to vote in Kent or have lived, worked, or owned property in the county for at least 12 months before an election.
To find out about candidates standing in the KCC election, KCC will publish details of the candidates in each electoral division (name and political party) in the Statements of Persons Nominated on Thursday 3 April.
KCC is not allowed to publish candidates’ manifestos on our website; it is the role of the candidates to promote themselves as part of their campaign.
One way that candidates can promote themselves is by submitting an optional statement, contact details and social media links to the Who Can I Vote For? website. Enter your postcode for details about any upcoming elections in your area, including statements by candidates who have chosen to provide them.
KCC’s Be a Councillor event in 2024 invited people across Kent to find out more about this important role with a view to getting involved and becoming a candidate.
To find out more about the event held at County Hall you can take a look here.
