Residents will now have to show photographic ID to be able to vote at polling stations in Thursday 4 May council elections.
The alternative for people who prefer not to vote at a polling station, is to apply to the Council for a postal vote, or appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf. People can find out more on these two options here.
Redlands Green campaigner Kate Nikulina says, “Voter ID is unfortunately tackling a problem that doesn’t exist and making it harder for people to vote. But it is here so if you are voting in person this May at the council elections make sure you have the correct ID.”
The new voter ID requirement for people voting at polling stations is the result of changes introduced by the Government. It will apply for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday 4 May.
People who plan to vote in person at a polling station are being asked to check now that they have an accepted form of ID. These include:
- Passport
- Driving licence / provisional licence
- Blue badge
- Certain concessionary travel cards, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card
- Identity card with Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) mark
- Biometric Immigration document
- Defence identity card
- Certain national identity cards
Voters can use expired ID, as long as they are still recognisable from the photo. A full list of accepted forms of ID is available here, alongside information on registering to vote and postal and proxy voting.
Residents who have suitable ID need to remember to bring it with them on the day. Where a voter turns up at a polling station without identification, they will be asked to return home to find ID before they can be issued with a ballot paper. A polling card alone will not entitle someone to vote.
Residents who do not have an accepted form of ID can apply online for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) at here. Alternatively, they can complete a paper application form and send this to Reading’s Electoral Services team.
If residents need any help with applying for a VAC, or want to request a paper application form, they can contact the Council’s Electoral Services team at elections@reading.gov.uk or call 0118 937 3717. VAC applications will be processed by Reading Borough Council and posted to the relevant home address, or can be collected at the Civic Offices upon appointment, which can be made via the weblink.
The deadline for applying for a VAC is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.