People wanting to vote in person at this year’s local government elections will need to show identification for the first time under new Government rules.
Anyone voting at a polling station in May’s local elections will need to show photo identification before they can cast their vote.
In Leicester, voters will go to the polls on May 4, to elect the city’s 54 councillors and to elect a City Mayor.
The Government has brought in the rules across the UK as a way to tackle electoral fraud. The rules will also be applied to UK general elections from October 2023.
Photo ID including passports, driving licences, Blue Badges, some concessionary travel cards and certain national identity cards are okay to use.
People voting by post won’t need photo ID – they’ll use the normal security arrangements of giving their signature and date of birth on the postal vote statement.
Leicester City Council’s Returning Officer, Miranda Cannon, said: “With local elections taking place on May 4, I would urge voters who want to vote in person to ensure they are ready, by checking they have an accepted form of ID.
“Many people will have one of the forms of ID, such as their passport, photo driving licence or Blue Badge for example. Those who don’t, can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate quickly and easily online, which will require a photo and their National Insurance details, and I would encourage people to apply as soon as possible.
“We don’t want anyone to find themselves in a position where they want to vote but are unable to do so. The information, both on our website and on the Electoral Commission’s website, sets out what people need to do in order to ensure they are able to vote.”
Voters who don’t have the ID they need can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, either online from the government website or by filling in an application form and giving it to the city council.
People who don’t bring valid photo ID or a Voter Authority Certificate will not be able to vote on polling day.
More details are available at: https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/
