APPLICATIONS are now open for residents who need a new form of free ID that can be used at elections.
Ahead of a new voter ID requirement, the UK Government has opened an online portal for the ID, known as the Voter Authority Certificate, for voters that do not already have an accepted form of photo ID.
Applications can be submitted through the online portal at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk or by submitting a paper form to the Warwick District Council Election Team at [email protected]. Those that have an accepted form of ID already do not need to apply.
Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport, a UK or EEA driver’s licence, and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
With local elections taking place in Warwick district on May 4, voters will need to show ID at the polling station to receive a ballot paper.
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 April 25. Applicants must be registered to vote and will need to provide their date of birth, National Insurance number, and a photograph with their application.
Chris Elliott, Returning Officer for Warwick district, said: “With elections coming up on May 4, it is important that Warwick district residents 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 Warwick District Council Electoral Services
Team by phone on 01926 456 105 or by email at [email protected].”
Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration at the Electoral Commission, added: “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.”
