VOTERS URGED TO CHECK THEY HAVE THE RIGHT ID TO VOTE

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station, and it will apply to all future local elections, referendums, recall petitions and Police and Crime Commissioner elections from May 2023 and all UK Parliamentary General Elections from October 2023.

These new requirements will not affect electors who vote by post. Voters are being asked to check in good time, whether they have an accepted form of ID and to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if they don’t.

WHAT ID CAN I USE?

You’ll need one of the following types of photo ID to vote:

· a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional) a driving licence issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands a UK passport

· a passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country

· a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme) a Blue Badge a biometric residence permit (BRP) a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90) a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

· a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card

· a Voter Authority Certificate

· an Anonymous Elector’s Document

You can also use one of the following travel passes as photo ID when you vote: an older person’s bus pass a disabled person’s bus pass

· an Oyster 60+ card

· a Freedom Pass

· a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC) a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass

The photo on your ID must look like you. You can still use your ID even if it has expired. To find out more about the photo ID you’ll need, head to www.gov.uk/ how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need.

WHAT IF I DONT HAVE PHOTO ID?

If you do not have a type of photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. It’s free to apply. You’ll need a recent, digital photo of yourself and your National Insurance number.

You can still apply if you do not have a National Insurance number. You’ll need to provide other documents to prove your identity, for example, a birth certificate, bank statement and utility bill.

To find out more about applying for a Voter Authority Certificate, head to www.gov.uk/apply-forphoto-id-voter-authority-certificate.

Voters can apply online at nland.cc/ID or by completing a paper form and sending this to their local council’s electoral services team.

Mark Crawford, Elections Manager for Northumberland County Council said:

“This is a new national requirement and in association with the work of the Electoral Commission, we will be doing everything we can to raise awareness of the need for Voter ID at all future elections.

“Anyone voting at a polling station in England will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot papers. While there are no scheduled elections planned in 2023 in Northumberland, we would advise everyone to check they have appropriate ID and if not to apply for the free Voter Authority Certificate if needed, as soon as possible.”

If you have a query regarding Voter ID, or need help applying, you can also contact the county council’s election team on 01670 624811 or by emailing elections@northumberland.gov.uk