WOKINGHAM Borough Council has reminded residents to remember their voter ID for this May’s local elections.
For the first time ever, the electorate will have to show photographic identification to cast their ballot.
Anyone who wishes to vote is therefore being urged to make sure they are ready when May arrives by checking they have an accepted form of ID.
There are many forms of ID that are acceptable and anyone who does not have one can apply for free online or complete a paper form and send it to the council.
Accepted forms of photo ID include passport, driving licence/provisional licence, blue badge, certain concessionary travel cards, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card, identity card with PASS mark, biometric Immigration document, defence identity card and some national identity cards.
It is expected that the website to apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate, will be ready for applications from Monday, January 16.
If a voter turns up at a polling station with no accepted photo identification, they will not be issued with a ballot paper.
Voter ID is a new requirement introduced by the Government’s Elections Act, which was passed last year and will apply for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday, May 4.
Voters will be able to use expired ID as long as they are still recognisable from the photo.
A full list of accepted forms of ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the new requirement and how to apply for a free ID.
Andrew Moulton, returning officer at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “With elections taking place in Wokingham Borough on 4 May, it is important that those who want to vote make sure they have an accepted form of ID.
“It may seem early, but checking now means you will be ready to vote in May.”
If a voter would prefer not to show ID at a polling station, they can apply to vote by post or proxy.
The proxy will still need the individual to show their photo ID.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote for the May elections is Tuesday, April 18, and for a proxy vote is Tuesday, April 25.
All voters must be registered to cast a ballot, this can be done online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Residents with questions can contact the council’s electoral services team at electoralservices@wokingham.gov.uk or call 0118 974 6000.
