Friday April 14, 2023
For immediate release
Final call to check photo ID before local elections
Residents in Charnwood are running out of time to check they have an accepted form of photo ID ahead of the local elections on Thursday May 4, 2023.
The UK Government has introduced the new requirement which means voters in England will need to show an acceptable form of photo ID when voting at a polling station.
Residents without a suitable form of ID can apply for free ID called a Voter Authority Certificate which can only be used for elections. Applications can be made online through the GOV.UK website or by completing a paper form.
Those who require a Voter Authority Certificate need to apply by 5pm on Tuesday April 25, 2023.
Residents should first make sure they are registered to vote before applying. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday April 17.
A paper form to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is available to download and print from the Charnwood Borough Council website.
Alternatively, residents can request the form is sent to them via post by contacting the elections team on electoral.services@charnwood.gov.uk or by calling 01509 634546.
Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK or EEA drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
People are urged to carefully check the list of accepted ID carefully as some forms of photo ID, such as security passes issued by employers, will not be accepted.
Voters also need to make sure the photo ID is the original. A photocopy or a picture of the photo ID taken with a mobile phone will not be accepted.
A list of accepted ID is available on the Council’s website, along with more information about the new requirement, frequently asked questions and details of how to apply for the free ID. For more information, visit charnwood.gov.uk/VoterID
The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station, is a new requirement introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act which was passed last year.
There is also information about the introduction of Voter ID on the Electoral Commission website at electoralcommission.org.uk/VoterID
Charnwood Borough Council has 52 councillors across 24 wards with all seats being up for election on Thursday, May 4. Any contested seats in all of the 27 parish and town councils in the borough will also be up for election.
To find out more about the 2023 local elections, visit our dedicated webpage charnwood.gov.uk/elections23
Keep up to date with the Council’s latest news regarding elections by signing up for email alerts and by following our social media channels @CharnwoodBC or look for the hashtag #CharnElects23 on Twitter.