How to vote

Poll cards

Most poll cards for the Mayor of Croydon and Croydon Council elections on 7 May 2026 should be delivered in the week commencing 30 March 2026. 

You should receive your poll card at least two weeks before an election or referendum. Each member of the household who is eligible to vote will be sent a poll card. The card will state the date of the election or referendum, the hours of poll and where your polling station is.

If you do not receive a poll card before an election or referendum and are registered and eligible, please contact Electoral Services. 

We send poll cards to voters for information. You do not need to take your poll card with you to the polling station to vote. It will, however, make it quicker for polling station staff to find you on the electoral register if you do.

Photo ID

You must bring photo ID with you to the polling station, you cannot vote without it.

Find out more about what types of photo ID are acceptable and how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate-a special ID that can be used for voting if you do not have a suitable form of ID.

Casting your vote

• the hours of poll for all elections are 7am to 10pm
• on arrival at the poll station, the clerk will ask you to confirm your name and address. If you are registered, you will then receive your ballot paper(s)
• the ballot paper(s) has an official stamp, barcode and QR code
• take the ballot paper(s) to the voting booth and mark 'X' in the box next to the candidate(s) or party(s) or choice you wish to vote for
• put your completed ballot paper(s) in the ballot box

Accessible voting

Most of the processes for voters to register to vote and cast their vote are set out in law. The Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for electors with disabilities to remove barriers to voting.

Standard adjustments are already in place, we may, however, be able to make extra adjustments if you need them.

Find out more about the assistance that is available to voters and how you can ask for additional adjustments.

Voting guidance for people with learning needs

My Vote, My Voice has information and resources for people with learning needs, autism and those supporting them.

Topics include: 

• politics
• how to register to vote
• how to vote at elections
   

Why pencils are used to mark ballot papers in polling stations

Pencils are used at polling stations for practical reasons: with ink pens there is always a risk that they may dry out or spill; ink may cause some transfer of the mark the voter has made on the ballot paper when they fold it, potentially leading to their vote being rejected if, for example, it looks like they have voted for more candidates or parties than they are entitled to. However there is no legal requirement for ballot papers to be marked with a pencil and voters can choose to bring their own pen into the polling station to vote.