Rushcliffe Borough Council is reminding residents they must have an accepted form of photo ID or Voter Authority Certificate to show if voting in person at a polling station in this year’s local elections on Thursday, May 4.
If individuals don’t have any accepted form of photo ID, they can apply for a free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-to-vote by 5 pm on Tuesday, April 25.
Applicants will need to provide a passport-style photo with all Voter Authority Certificate submissions.
Residents can also complete a paper application form and send it along with a photo to the Council’s Electoral Services team at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford NG2 7YG by 5 pm on April 25.
Completed forms and photographs can also be scanned and emailed to elections@rushcliffe.gov.uk by 5 pm on April 25.
The UK Government has introduced the requirement for voters to show a photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections and will apply for the first time in England at the polls next month.
The new legislation does not apply to residents who vote by post or proxy, with both forms of these voting methods verified in other ways.
Forms of acceptable photo ID which can be used to vote with include:
- Passport
- Driving licence (including provisional licence)
- Blue Badge
- Certain concessionary travel cards
- Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- Biometric Immigration document
- Defence identity card
- Certain national identity cards
Further information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, is available on the Electoral Commission website at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.
The authority is offering free in-person support at their Customer Services sites across the Borough to assist residents in applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.
The Customer Service Centre on Gordon Road in West Bridgford is available during opening hours of Mondays and Thursdays 8.30 am to 5 pm and Fridays 8.30 am to 4.30 pm to help guide residents through the process.
Appointments are also available to complete the process in person at the Council’s Customer Service contact points at Bingham, East Leake and Cotgrave.
Residents need to have their date of birth and national insurance number to hand and already be registered to vote before they arrive at any site.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Returning Officer for the elections Katherine Marriott is urging all residents to be prepared and ensure they have the correct documentation in place ahead of the local elections next month.
She said: “Don’t miss out on having your say on the issues that matter to you and make sure you have an accepted form of photo ID ready to bring with you if voting in person at a polling station at the local elections on Thursday, May 4 2023.
“If you do not have an accepted photo ID, there is only one week left to complete the online form for a Voter Authority Certificate.
“It’s absolutely vital that you bring photo ID or a Voter Authority Certificate with you otherwise, you won’t be able to vote.
“If you are unsure and need any support with obtaining a free Voter Authority Certificate, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us and we can help you with the form.
“Our Customer Services teams across the Borough are on hand ready to help residents and can take a passport style photograph and upload it onto the form – all of this takes about two minutes and is completely free.
“If anyone has any other questions about registering to vote or the new photo ID requirement, get in touch with our electoral registration team by emailing elections@rushcliffe.gov.uk or call 0115 981 9911.”
