PEOPLE across Malvern Hills District are being reminded they will need to show photographic ID to vote in this year’s local elections.
Residents are being urged to check they have an accepted form of photo ID ahead of polling day on Thursday, May 4, 2023 to make sure they can cast their vote.
There are many accepted forms of ID including a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport, a driving licence issued by the UK, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state, as well as a blue badge or an older person’s bus pass.
The full list of accepted photo ID can be found on the Electoral Commission website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.
The advice comes in the same week the Malvern Observer launched its ‘Make sure you’re ID OK for Polling Day’ campaign in a bid to ensure as many people as possible know which identification they will need for the May 4 vote.
Click below to see our ‘Make sure you’re ID OK for Polling Day’ video.
Malvern Hills District Council said voters would be able to use out of date ID if they were still recognisable from the photo.
There are a number of IDs that will not be accepted – these include photo ID cards issued by a workplace (including the NHS and local councils) and student cards without a PASS hologram.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.
These can be applied for by following the links at www.malvernhills.gov.uk/voting-and-elections.
The deadline to apply for the Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) election is 5pm on April 25, 2023, but residents are being urged to apply early if they need to.
People will need to be registered to vote first before they apply. This can be done online following the links on MHDC’s elections page (above).
The requirement to show photo ID at a polling station was introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act, passed last year and comes into effect for the first time this May.
Andy Baldwin, Returning Officer for Malvern Hills District Council, said: “Residents will be electing a whole new council in May as well as representatives on town and parish councils across the district.
“Although it may seem a long way away, I urge people to check now they have the required form of photo ID to make sure they can vote in May.
“If you haven’t, then please apply for a Voter Authority Certificate early to make sure you don’t miss out on making your voice heard through the ballot box.”
He urged anyone needing help understanding the new requirement for photo ID or applying for a Voter Authority Certificate should contact the elections team.
This year’s Malvern Hills District Council election will be the first held under new ward boundaries, which means the name of the electoral ward people live in or where they usually go to vote may change.
Poll cards will be issued towards the end of March. Residents are urged to check them for the location of their polling station and more information on the photo ID requirement.
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/voting-and-elections for more information or contact the elections team by emailing [email protected] or call 01684 862200.
