Worcestershire voters head to local election polls

Polling stations across Worcestershire have opened for the 2025 local council elections.

All 57 seats on Worcestershire County Council are being decided by voters, with polls closing at 22:00 BST.

Counting is due to take place on Friday.

There are no elections taking place in Herefordshire or on district councils.

In Worcester, recent boundary changes mean the shape of electoral divisions have changed slightly, but the city will still elect 10 county councillors.

Worcestershire County Council is only responsible for services that apply across the whole of the county, including things like education, transport, social care and libraries.

Other areas, like housing, planning applications, council tax collections and rubbish collections fall to district, borough, and city councils.

As well as the county council elections, a town councillor will also be elected for Evesham Town Council in the Bengeworth ward.

Use our tool to find out who your candidates are and where you can vote.

We have a great guide on what you can and cannot do in a polling booth, but here are some of the most important things you need to know:

• You need to take valid photo ID with you

• You can only vote at your local polling station, so it is important you find out where you need to go - this might not be the same as in previous elections

• Polling stations are open until 22:00 - you can vote after that as long as you were already in the queue

• Taking photos inside a polling station is not permitted - but you can take photos outside

• Animals, apart from assistance dogs, are not usually allowed in polling stations

• Bringing children to the polling station is encouraged but they are not allowed to mark your vote on the ballot paper

The deadlines to register to vote, request a postal vote or apply for a proxy vote have all passed.

However, if you are already on the electoral roll and realise at the last minute that you will not be able to vote in person as planned, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote up until 17:00 on polling day.

Your proxy - the person nominated to vote on your behalf - must also already be registered to vote.

The BBC will be reporting what happens live, with results expected by Friday evening.

Worcestershire County Council will also post the results for each division on its website.

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