Register to vote by 17 April for the parish and borough elections on 4 May

Anyone voting at a polling station on 4 May will need to show an accepted form of photo ID in order to cast their ballot, following a recent change in legislation.

Some common types of accepted ID include UK passports, driving licences and some concessionary travel passes. A full list can be found on the back of the poll card letters which have been delivered over the past few weeks, or details can also be found at www.swindon.gov.uk/voterID. 

Residents can also enter their postcode on our website to see where their polling station is.

Electors can still use their photo ID if it is out of date, as long as it is still a likely representation of the person who appears on the ID. The name on the form of ID should be the same name which was used as part of the voter registration process. Only original documents will be accepted.

If a Swindon resident doesn’t have ID, is not sure whether the ID still looks like them, or is worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, they can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate – valid only for voting at the elections.

Residents need to be registered to vote before they can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. People don’t need to register to vote before every election. To register to vote, apply online before 11.59pm on Monday, 17 April.

For the local elections on Thursday, 4 May 2023, anyone wishing to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate will need to do so before 5pm on Tuesday, 25 April 2023.

Alternatively, electors can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate by post, in the first instance by phoning the Council on 01793 445 500 to request an application form. Applications can also be made in person on any working day between 9.30am to 4pm at the Civic Offices in Euclid Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH.

Those who would like to vote by proxy will need to ensure that the person going to vote on their behalf takes their own ID, and not ID for the person they are voting for. Postal voting will remain the same.

To apply to vote by post or proxy, residents need to download, print and fill in the respective application form available from the Council’s website. Completed forms need to arrive at the internal mailbox at the Civic Offices (SN1 2JH) or be sent to elecreg@swindon.gov.uk before 5pm on 18 April (for postal vote applications) or 5pm on 25 April (for proxy vote applications).

Here are some key upcoming dates for residents to be aware of:

• 11.59pm on 17 April - last day to register to vote
• 5pm on 18 April – last day to register for a postal vote
• 5pm on 25 April – last day to register for a proxy vote
• 5pm on 25 April – last day to register for a free Voter Authority Certificate (if you don’t have accepted ID)
• 4 May – polling day

Susie Kemp, Swindon Borough Council’s Returning Officer, said: “There are several ways to cast your ballot at this year’s borough and parish elections, but make sure you are registered to vote before 17 April to have your voice heard.

“Many different types of ID can be used at the polling station, all you need to do is remember to bring it with you on polling day (4 May) or apply for a Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline if you need one.”

Residents can see which candidates they can vote for in Swindon’s Parish and Borough elections by downloading the ’Statement of Persons Nominated’ files.

Visit Swindon Borough Council’s website for a full list of the accepted types of photo ID and more details.