By-election: residents have only a few days left to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate
Residents who want to have their say in the Marshalswick East and Jersey Farm by-election have only a few days left to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
Voters are required under new legislation to present an approved form of photo ID to vote at a polling station on Thursday 17 August.
This includes a UK passport or driver’s licence (current or expired), Government-funded bus passes for older or disabled people and a PASS card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply online for free ID, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
The deadline for applying for this is 5pm on Wednesday 9 August.
Details of how to apply are available on the Electoral Commission’s website here along with details of all approved photo ID.
An existing Voter Authority Certificate can be used provided the photo is still a good likeness. Certificates issued by any local authority in England, Scotland, or Wales are valid.
Amanda Foley, Returning Officer for St Albans City and District, said:
The requirement for voters to present photo ID at polling stations has been a major change to how our elections are managed.
I urge voters in Marshalswick East and Jersey Farm to check the list of approved photo ID to see if they can provide one of the accepted types, making sure the photo is indeed a true likeness of them.
Voters must also remember to bring the ID along to polling stations. If they do not present photo ID, they will not be able to vote.
Anyone who doesn’t have photo ID should apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline for doing so is fast approaching.
Voting by post and proxy
Residents who applied to vote by post are urged to look out for their postal voting packs which are now being issued. The deadline for applying for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 2 August.
People who are unable to get to a polling station - and who do not already have a postal or proxy vote set up - can still apply to vote by proxy.
The deadline for doing so is 5pm on Wednesday 9 August, although in certain circumstances an emergency proxy vote can be applied for up until 5pm on the day of the election.
Details of how to apply for a proxy vote are also available on the Electoral Commission’s website https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-proxy.
Media Contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.