Local elections 2023

With the local elections coming up on Thursday 4th May, it is important that local residents are not only registered to vote, but also aware of new changes to the law regarding how people vote at a polling station.

You’ll now need photo ID to vote at a polling station

The Government has recently changed the law. It is now a legal requirement that photo identification must be shown when voting in person. This will apply for the local elections taking place on Thursday 4th May and means that you will have to show an accepted form of photo ID before being given your ballot paper to vote. Photo ID is not required for postal voting.

What are acceptable forms of photo ID?

There are many types of photo ID that are acceptable. You can use any of the following examples, even if they have expired – but the photo on it will need to be a good likeness.

Key dates for the local elections

l Passport l Driving licence (including provisional license) l Blue badge l Certain concessionary travel cards l Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme) l Biometric Immigration document l Defence identity card l Certain national identity cards

For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit www.southend.gov.uk/VoterID

What do I do if I don’t have an acceptable form of photo ID?

Those who don’t have the right photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) before 5pm on Tuesday 25th April. The Voter Authority Certificate can easily be applied for online by going to www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voterauthority-certificate

However, the council’s electoral services team are ready to help if people do not have access to the internet or experience any difficulties filling in the form. Please call 01702 215010 or email elections@southend.gov.uk

If you have any issues we can help with, please call 01702

The Electoral Services team elections@southend.gov.uk 01702 215010

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There is now a second OpenGate weapons detector on the streets of Southend after the local business community donated one to the force. Southend Community Policing Team were the first in the country to use the £15,000 system, which is specifically designed to detect dense metal objects.