Residents in the Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney Constituency are being urged to prepare ahead of the UK parliamentary general election taking place on Thursday 4 July.
Anyone who wants to have their say in the general election must be registered to vote by Tuesday 18 June. It only takes five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
For the first time, voters in Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney will need to show photographic ID to vote in a UK parliamentary general election. Residents are being advised to make sure they are ready to vote 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 can apply for free ID online at www.voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or by completing a paper form. The deadline for applying ahead of the general election is 5pm Wednesday 26 June. Voters wishing to apply should first make sure they are registered to vote.
Craig Westwood, Director of Communications, Policy and Research at the Electoral Commission, said:
“It is important that those who want to vote at the general election are registered to vote by the deadline, and have an accepted form of photo ID. We are urging voters to understand what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it. Checking now rather than later means you will be ready when it’s time to vote.”
“You can find more information about the ID requirement and what to expect at the polling station on the Electoral Commission’s website.”
Andrea Jones, Acting Returning Officer for the Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney constituency, said:
“Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form. However, please note applications must be received by 5pm on 26th June 2024. If you need any help with applying for the free ID or want to request an application form, contact Blaenau Gwent electoral services team on 01495 355086/88 or e-mail electoral.services@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk or Caerphilly electoral services team on 01443 866586 or e-mail electoralservices@caerphilly.gov.uk.”
The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.
Voters also have the choice to vote by post or proxy. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm Wednesday 19 June. The deadline for a proxy vote is 5pm Wednesday 26 June. For information on elections in their area, how to register to vote or how to apply by post or by proxy, voters can visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter.
Notes:
- The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station, is a requirement introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act.
- The legislation requires voters at polling stations to show an accepted form of photo ID before they receive their ballot paper. The requirement applies to UK parliamentary elections, including parliamentary by-elections, local council elections in England, and police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales. It does not apply at local elections in Scotland or Wales, or elections to the Scottish Parliament or Senedd. The requirement already exists in Northern Ireland.
- The UK Government’s Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities is responsible for the voter ID policy and for the free voter ID application system. Enquiries relating to the application system or the policy itself should be directed to the Department.
- The Electoral Commission is responsible for ensuring voters are aware of the voter ID requirement, and for supporting local authorities with the process. Questions related to the public awareness campaign should be directed to the Electoral Commission.
- Local authorities are responsible for implementing voter ID at the local level.
- To apply for the Voter Authority Certificate, voters will need to provide a photo, full name, date of birth, the address at which they are registered to vote and their National Insurance number.