Residents are being urged to take action now to ensure they can cast their vote in May’s local elections.
For the first time, voters will have to provide photo ID at the polling station on May 4, following a change in government rules. Information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted can be found here: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id
Accepted photo ID includes a national passport, drivers licence, local travel passes, such as a bus pass, and proof of age ID cards. Those without an accepted form of photo ID can apply for a free voter ID document at: www.voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk
Malcolm Johnston, Electoral Registrations Officer at Rother District Council (RDC), said: “In previous elections, residents have not needed to provide photo ID. We want to make sure everyone is aware of the change in rules and arrives at the polling station on May 4 with everything they need to cast their vote. With the challenges local authorities continue to face, it is vital that everyone has the ability to exercise their democratic right and elect the person they want to represent them.”
Any residents who have yet to register to vote in Rother, have until Monday, April 17, to do so in order to take part in local elections.
Anyone wanting to vote but unable to get to a polling station, can vote by post or apply for a proxy vote which allows someone to cast a vote on your behalf at the polling station.
Applications for postal votes need to reach RDC by 5pm on April 18.
Applications to vote by proxy need to reach RDC by 5pm April 25.
Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate need to reach RDC by 5pm, April 25.
Details of how to register can be found at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
More information on the elections can be found at www.rother.gov.uk/elections-and-voting/current-and-forthcoming-elections/
Image Credits: John Minter .
Another waste of money introduced by this government, how many incidents have there been of corruption in our voting system? Just another way of eliminating poorer and older people from voting.
I know several areas where people voted in two areas – university town and home town, also in some areas of my home city Birmingham there were items in local papers suggesting something a bit odd going on.
The above says you can use “local travel passes, such as a bus pass, and proof of age ID cards. ” Also “Those without an accepted form of photo ID can apply for a free voter ID document at: http://www.voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk“