Voters reminded to bring photo ID to borough and parish elections on 4 May
Voters must show photographic identification to polling station staff to vote at the elections this Thursday (4 May).
Published: Tuesday, 2nd May 2023
It follows UK-wide legislation introduced last year by the Government.
Accepted forms of ID include passports, photographic driving licences, biometric immigration documents and some concessionary travel passes.
A full list of the accepted forms of photo identification was included on the back of the poll card letter that was sent to registered voters, and is also available on Swindon Borough Council’s website: www.swindon.gov.uk/voterID. The poll card letter cannot be used as ID.
Voters can still use their photo ID even if it is out of date, as long as it is still a likely representation of the person who appears on the ID.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.
Anyone who has chosen to vote by proxy, which is when someone votes on your behalf, will need to make sure the person they have trusted to vote on their behalf takes their own identification to be issued with a ballot paper.
Postal voters will not be affected by the voter ID changes and were issued with their postal ballot papers as usual.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm across Swindon on 4 May. Venues can get busy, particularly towards the end of the day, but even if there is a queue at the polling station, voters will still be able to cast their ballot as long as they joined the queue before 10pm.
Anyone who arrives at a polling station without an accepted form of photo ID will not be able to cast their vote and will be asked to return with an accepted form of photo ID.
Voters who did not have an accepted form of photo ID were able to apply for a free voter ID, known as a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC), before 25 April. Anyone who has lost their VAC will need to apply for an emergency proxy vote on Swindon Borough Council’s website.
Susie Kemp, Swindon Borough Council’s Returning Officer, said: “Before you leave to cast your ballot at this year’s elections on 4 May, please make sure you have got your photo ID with you.
“Whether it’s a UK passport, driving licence, a PASS card, a Voter Authority Certificate or any other of the accepted forms of photo ID, take it with you to your polling station where it will be checked by polling station staff.”
Residents can find out more about the voter ID requirements by visiting Swindon Borough Council’s website: www.swindon.gov.uk/voterID.