Eamont and Shap by-election

Information about the by-election on 27 February for a councillor for the Eamont and Shap ward, including how to register to vote and how to apply for a postal or proxy vote.

On Thursday 27 February 2025 an election is to be held for a councillor for the Eamont and Shap ward of Westmorland and Furness Council.

Voters in Eamont and Shap will be able to go to the polls between the hours of 7am and 10pm. 

The deadline for receiving nomination forms has passed and the candidate list has been published on the Statement of Persons Nominated.

Notices

Notice of Election for the Eamont and Shap ward (PDF , 122KB)

Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll for the Eamont and Shap ward election (PDF , 103KB)

Notice of Appointment Election Agents for the Eamont and Shap ward election (PDF , 89KB)

Notice of Situations of Polling Stations for the Eamont and Shap ward election (PDF, 124KB)

Register to vote

Eligible residents who are not registered to vote must do so by midnight on Tuesday 11 February 2025. 

Register to vote at GOV.UK

Apply for a postal or proxy vote

Voters who wish to vote by post, or want to cancel or amend their postal vote, must apply to do so by 5pm on Wednesday 12 February 2025.

Postal voting packs for existing postal voters, and those who made a successful application before 5 February should receive their packs on or around 12 February.

Postal voters who apply for a postal vote after the 5 February will receive their postal voting pack around the 20 February.

Apply for a postal vote at GOV.UK

Voters who wish to vote by proxy must apply to do so by 5pm on Wednesday 19 February 2025.

Apply for a proxy vote at GOV.UK

Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate 

Any voter that does not have photo ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, and they must do so by 5pm on Wednesday 19 February 2025.

Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate at GOV.UK

Postal vote handling

Rules have been introduced to support the security of postal voting at elections.

Anyone returning a postal vote by hand to the Returning Officer must complete a postal vote return form. A postal vote returned by hand that is not accompanied by a postal vote return form will be rejected. There are also new limits on the number of postal votes that can be handed in by one person.

Postal voters are encouraged to use the Royal Mail envelope provided with the postal vote pack, wherever possible.

Electors who wish to hand their postal vote in at a polling station, or at designated council offices, must complete a postal vote return form for the postal vote to be accepted.

At polling stations: staff working at the station will have the necessary form to be completed at the polling stations.

Council offices: signage will be in place at each office to tell electors where they need to go to complete the relevant forms.

Completed postal vote packs should not be put through the letterboxes, or internal mail boxes, in any council building as these will have to be rejected.

Voter ID

In the UK you are legally required to show photo identification (ID) when voting at a polling station at this election.

Examples of photo ID

You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:
•    Passport
•    Driving licence (including provisional license)
•    Blue badge
•    Certain concessionary travel cards
•    Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
•    Biometric Immigration document
•    Defence identity card
•    Certain national identity cards

You will only need to show one form of photo ID, but it needs to be the original version and not a photocopy. The name on your ID must be the same name you used to register to vote.

If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID

If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. 

Apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate on GOV.UK

If you need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or want to request an application form, contact our elections team by email at elections2@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.