Thursday 17-04-2025 - 11:17

On 1 May, voters across County Durham will be heading to the polls to elect county and parish councillors – and yes, your voice absolutely matters in this.

So, what are the local elections?

Local elections might not get as much hype as general elections, but they’re just as important for your everyday life. You'll be voting for:

• County councillors – who make decisions on things like transport, housing, and public services.
• Parish councillors – who focus on very local issues, from green spaces to noise complaints to community events.

You can find full details on the SU website or the Durham County Council website.

Key dates to know

Election day: 1 May, 7:00–22:00

Find out how to vote by post or proxy.

Why should I vote?

Students make up a significant chunk of the local population – that means we have real power to influence decisions in Durham. Parish and county councils are vital for making changes locally so it’s important that you vote on 1 May.

Local councils shape the area you live, work and study in. That includes:

Housing

• Pushing for better landlord accountability
• Improving housing standards through licensing
• Approving (or rejecting) affordable housing builds

Student workers & nightlife

• Regulating clubs and bars to keep them safe and respectful
• Promote rights and protection for student workers.

Anti-social behaviour

• Addressing noise complaints and street cleanliness

Local services

• Everything from bin collection to quality and sustainability of public transport.

What do councillors actually do?

County councillors:

• Represent your interests on big services like education, transport, and social care
• Attend meetings, debate policies, and vote on local issues to shape council priorities.
• They may sit on committees overseeing specific areas, such as planning or public health, and help allocate budgets to ensure services meet community needs.

Parish councillors:

• Durham parish councillors represent their local communities at the most grassroots level of government.
• They make decisions on issues affecting their parish, such as maintaining public spaces, managing local amenities (e.g., playgrounds, village halls), and supporting community events.
• Liaise directly with the county council to raise community concerns
• They engage with residents, listen to concerns, and help improve the local area through small-scale projects and funding initiatives. Their role is voluntary, and they aim to enhance community well-being and local services.

These roles might sound behind the scenes – but they’re the people shaping where you live.

Find out more about parish councils and their roles and responsibilities.

Where can I vote?

You can find your local polling station here.

PLUS – we’ll be making it easy to vote on the day.

Durham SU will run a voter drive on 1 May with Student Vote Ambassadors walking students from colleges and key locations to polling stations. Look out for AM and PM group slots closer to the date!

You’ll also spot SU stalls in high-footfall areas where you can chat with a vote ambassador about how it all works.

What you need to vote

You’ll need photo ID. Accepted forms include:

• Passport
• Driver’s Licence
• A free Voter Authority Certificate if you don’t have the above

Want to help get out the vote?

We're hiring Paid Vote Ambassadors – a short-term role helping your peers get to the polls and understand the voting process. The deadline to apply is 21 April.