West Berkshire residents need photo ID to vote at elections in May
For the first time, residents in West Berkshire will need to show photographic ID to vote at this year’s local elections. Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote in May by checking they have an accepted form of ID.
Accepted forms of ID include:
- a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport;
- a UK, EEA or Commonwealth 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.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ (opens in new window) or by completing a paper form.
The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID (opens in new window).
If you need any help with applying for the free ID or want to request an application form, contact the electoral services team by calling 01635 519464 or emailing vote@westberks.gov.uk (opens in new window)
Anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must also be registered to vote. It only takes five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote (opens in new window). Voters wishing to apply to their council for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote.
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 and comes into effect for the first time this May.