Residents in Tamworth are being urged to prepare ahead of elections taking place across England this year.
The government has introduced requirements to show a photo ID when voting at all elections. With local elections, and selecting the Staffordshire Police Crime Commissioner on 2 May, and an expected general election later in the year, Tamworth Borough Council is urging anyone without ID to apply now, to make sure no one is turned away from the polls.
Accepted forms of ID include a passport, driving licence and an older person’s bus pass. See https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need for the full list of accepted ID. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Anyone without an accepted form of ID can apply for free ID on the government’s website at: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.
Those without internet access can phone 0800 328 0280 for support.
The deadline for applying for ID for May’s election is 5pm on 24 April. Voters wishing to apply should first make sure they are registered to vote: Register to vote | Electoral Commission.
Andrew Barratt, Returning Officer at Tamworth Borough Council, said:
“It is important that those who want to vote at the elections are registered to vote by the deadline, and have an accepted form of photo ID. We are urging voters to understand what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it. Checking now rather than later means you will be ready when it’s time to vote.
“Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID online. If you need any help with applying for the free ID or want to request an application form, contact the electoral services team on elections@tamworth.gov.uk, phone 01827 214 155.”
The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.
For more information contact:
Tamworth Borough Council Communications on 01827 709 517 or communications@tamworth.gov.uk
Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or press@electoralcommission.org.uk
Notes:
- 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 in 2022.
- The legislation requires voters at polling stations to show an accepted form of photo ID before they receive their ballot paper. Voters will need to show photo ID before voting in parliamentary by-elections, local council elections in England, and police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales.
- To apply for the Voter Authority Certificate, voters will need to provide a photo, full name, date of birth, the address at which they are registered to vote and their National Insurance number.