Local elections are being held across 24 counties and six mayoral authories across England today as voters heads to the polls.

While many millions of people are off to their local polling stations to make their impact on democracy and will be able to vote without issue - as long as they have valid Photo ID - there is a list of electors given to polling station volunteers which will determine whether or not you’re allowed to vote. It means some people aren’t allowed to vote even if they are registered and carrying photo ID.

A Polling Station Handbook for Local Elections is issued to polling station staff and shows the unpublicised code letters that are listed next to some people’s names meaning they can’t vote today.

Who can't vote today 

Electors with an ‘A’ before their name – these are voters who have chosen to vote by post and are therefore not able to vote in person at the polling station.

Electors with an ‘F’ before their name – these are overseas electors who can vote only in UK parliamentary elections (i.e. general elections).

Electors with a date of birth next to their name which shows that they will not be 18 years old until after polling day.

Those eligible to vote include

Electors with no letters or dates before their name.

Electors with an anonymous entry who have no letter next to their entry or the letter ‘N’. Some people register to vote anonymously if they feel having their details known could endanger them or someone in their household.

Electors who are 18 years of age or over (unless they also have a letter next to their entry indicating they are not eligible) – the figures printed before an elector’s entry indicate the date on which that elector becomes 18 years old.

Electors with a 'G' before their name – these are citizens of European Union (EU) member states (other than the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Malta) who can vote at local government elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Electors with an 'L' before their name - these are electors who sit in the House of Lords and who may vote at local government elections.