News Voter ID needed to vote at elections

As polling cards have arrived through resident’s doors Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is reminding everyone who votes in a polling station and doesn’t have photographic identification to apply now so that they can vote at the local election in May.

Maidstone will be holding its local elections on Thursday 2 May and in order to vote, you must be registered, the deadline to register is Tuesday 16 April. It only takes around five minutes, register here: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

The Elections Act 2022 also means that from May 2024 voters across Britain will need to show photo ID to be able to cast their ballot in person.  Anyone who is registered but does not have one of the approved types of photo ID only has until Wednesday 24 April to apply to get a free Voter Authority Certificate.

Angela Woodhouse, Returning Officer for MBC said:

“Everyone who votes in person will need to bring Voter ID with them. This change was introduced last year and it is important that everyone remembers to bring identification with them to the upcoming local election.

“We want to make sure that everyone who has the right to vote can do so and are asking people to check they have suitable ID now, and if they don't, to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, or arrange for a postal vote now so that they receive it in good time.”

A wide range of photographic identification which will be acceptable at polling stations include:

• Driver’s licences
• Passports
• Some concessionary travel passes
• PASS cards
• Ministry of Defence identity cards
• Photocard parking permits issued as part of the Blue Badge scheme
• Free Voter Cards, provided by local authorities

Expired photographic identification will also be accepted if the photograph is of a good enough likeness to allow polling station staff to confirm the identity of the holder.

More information on Voter ID and applications for the Voter Authority Certificate can be made using the UK Gov Website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.

The elections being held on 2 May will be the first on the MBC new whole council election cycle, which means that all 49 Borough Councillors and Parish Councils will be up for election at the same time.  These elections will also include voting for the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner

The UK has very low levels of proven electoral fraud but the new policy – which is part of the Elections Act 2022 and has been introduced to give the public more confidence in voting and stamp out any potential fraud taking place.  According to Electoral Commission public opinion research, two-thirds of people say they would feel more confident in the security of the voting system if there was a requirement to show photo ID.

To find out more about voter photo ID and applying for a Voter Authority Certificate please go to:  www.electoralcommission.org.uk

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