Valid ID required for local elections - 7th May
Residents in West Oxfordshire District will need to show photographic ID to vote in person at the local elections which are being held on Thursday 7 May.
Accepted forms of ID include:
- UK British passport
- European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport
- UK, EEA or Commonwealth photo drivers’ licence
- Some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass
Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still a true likeness from the photo and the name on the ID should be the same name as appears on the Electoral Register, change of name documents can supplement the photo ID if needed. Only original documents will be accepted; scanned images or copies will not be accepted.
Residents without an acceptable form of ID have until 5pm on Tuesday 28 April to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate which will act as ID for people voting at a polling station. To apply for free ID online residents should visit voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or they can complete a paper form which is available from the Council.
Anyone not able to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online, is encouraged to contact the Council by calling 01993 861410.
Residents looking to hand in postal votes on the day of the election are also reminded to hand in postal votes at a polling station or the Council offices at Woodgreen, Witney, and must complete a form before they leave. If the form is not completed, the Council’s Returning Officer will have to reject the postal vote. No more than five postal votes (for each election) plus your own can be delivered by hand.
The Returning Officer is encouraging anyone using a postal vote to send them in via Royal Mail where at all possible, with plenty of time before polling day.
Giles Hughes, Returning Officer for West Oxfordshire District Council, said:
“Anyone voting at a polling station this May will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. It’s important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it.
“There are only a few days left to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate and I would encourage everyone to check they have valid ID. If you need any help with applying for the free ID, or want to request an application form, please contact us.
“I would also ask people to check in with elderly neighbours, friends and family to make sure they understand the ID requirements and have ID in place.”
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