With local elections taking place in East Herts on 4 May, voters will need to show ID at the polling station to receive a ballot paper.
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.
Applications can be submitted through the online portal, at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. Application forms will also be available to download and print. Paper applications forms must be returned to Electoral Services, East Herts Council, Pegs Lane, Hertford, Herts, SG13 8EQ. Those that have an accepted form of ID already do not need to apply.
For those that do not have an accepted form of ID, the deadline to apply for free ID before the May elections is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April. Applicants must be registered to vote, and will need to provide their date of birth, National Insurance number, and a photograph with their application.
George Cutting, Executive Member for Corporate Services at East Herts Council, said: “With elections coming up on 4 May, it is important that residents of East Herts make sure they’re election ready. If you need any help with applying for free ID or want to request an application form, you can contact the electoral services team on 01279 655261.”
Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration at the Electoral Commission, said: “The availability of free ID is important to maintaining the accessibility of elections. We are calling on all voters to check whether they have an accepted form of ID and, if not, to apply for the certificate.
“We know from research that the vast majority of people already have the ID they need. Those voters only need to remember to bring it with them on polling day. However, anyone who doesn’t currently have an accepted form of ID can now apply for free voter ID.”
For more information about the election or voter ID requirements, check our website.
