Yorkshire councils issue warning over law change affecting upcoming elections
Councils in Yorkshire have issued warnings to voters ahead of this year’s local elections as ID is now needed to vote. In previous years, people have been able to vote without showing any form of ID. However, that is no longer the case and only certain forms of ID will be accepted at polling stations.
The government has issued some advice on how to get ID and councils are urging residents to go out and get the proper documents before the May local elections later this year. Read More: Police launch murder investigation in Huddersfield after man, 33, killed in brutal stabbing Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance, said: “Anyone voting at a polling station in England this May will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper.
“It’s important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it. You can find information about the new requirement and what to expect at the polling station on the Electoral Commission’s website.” ID will be needed for local elections, police and crime commissioner elections, parliamentary by-elections and recall petitions.
From October 2023, ID will also be needed to vote in general elections. The next local elections on May 4 will be the first to require these new IDs and so many may not be aware of which forms of ID are valid. According to the Electoral Commission, here are the accepted forms of ID:
- Passport (UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, British Overseas Territory, EEA state, Commonwealth country)
- Driving Licence including Provisional Licence (UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, EEA state)
- Blue Badge
- Older Person’s Bus Pass
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
- Oyster 60+ Card
- Freedom Pass
- Scottish National Entitlement Card
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- Biometric immigration document
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
- Voter Authority Certificate
- Anonymous Elector’s Document
If you do not have any of these, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate here. The deadline for this application is April 25, 2023 at 5pm if you wish to receive the certificate in time to vote on May 4.
You can also apply to vote by proxy or by post here. If you require any additional help you can get in contact with your local council.
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