Wyre Council will be holding Local Government elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.
This is your chance to elect the representatives for your ward who will shape and make decisions on Wyre Council’s services which affect everyone living in the twenty four wards in Wyre.
For the first time, residents in Wyre will need to show photographic ID to vote at this year’s local elections and are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote by checking they have an accepted form of ID.
If you are not registered to vote, you will need to register by Monday 17 April to vote in these elections. Register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. If you’re not sure if you’re registered to vote, call Electoral Services on 01253 887236 to check.
The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections. This new requirement will apply for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.
You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:
- Passport (this can be used even if it’s out of date, as long as the photo looks like you)
- Driving licence (including provisional licence)
- Blue badge
- Certain concessionary travel cards
- Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- Biometric Immigration document
- Defence identity card
- Certain national identity cards
You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy or photograph.
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
If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply for this at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk.
Alternatively, you can complete a paper application form and send this to the electoral services team at Wyre Council.
You do not need photo ID if you are voting by post. To apply to vote by post, you can complete a postal vote application form and return this to Wyre Council by Tuesday 18 April. You will then receive your ballet paper in the post. Please return this to Wyre Council by Thursday 4 May.
If you choose to vote by proxy (allowing someone you trust to vote on your behalf) the person you choose to vote on your behalf will need to provide their own photo ID to be able to cast your vote. They will not need to show your ID when voting on your behalf. To apply to vote by proxy, complete a proxy voting application form and return this to Wyre Council by Tuesday 25 April.
If you need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or want to request any of the application forms mentioned, contact the Electoral Services Team at Wyre Council on 01253 887236 or email electoral.services@wyre.gov.uk who will be happy to advise.
Cllr Michael Vincent, Leader of Wyre Council said:
“With local elections taking place in Wyre on Thursday 4 May 2023, it is important that those who want to vote make sure they have an accepted form of ID. It may seem early but checking now means you will be ready to vote in May.”
Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance, said:
“Anyone voting at a polling station in England this May will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. It’s important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it. You can find information about the new requirement and what to expect at the polling stations on the Electoral Commission’s website.”
Find out more
To find out more about the upcoming local elections visit www.wyre.gov.uk/elections
If you have any questions or for more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.