Getting ready for the local elections
Voters in Gloucester are being encouraged to make sure they are ready for the city council and police and crime commissioner elections on May 2.
New rules are in force for the first time in Gloucester which mean to vote in person at the polling station, residents need an accepted form of photo identification.
These include:
- a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport
- a UK, EEA or Commonwealth photocard driving licence
- Some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass.
Residents will be able to use expired ID as long as the photograph is still a good likeness.
But you may be required to provide further proof of identity if there is any discrepancy between the name shown on the form of photographic ID and the name the voter claims at the polling station.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID, which can be completed online at: www.voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or by completing a paper form which is available from the city council.
The deadline for applying for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Wednesday April 24.
To vote in Gloucester’s elections you have to be aged 18 and on the electoral register in the city.
Residents can make an application to register to vote through the Government website which takes only five minutes to complete.
They must register by Monday April 16 and can do so at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
If you want to be able to vote by post on May 2, must apply before the deadline of 5pm Tuesday April 17.
Anyone applying to vote by post will need to provide their national insurance number as part of the application. If you have an existing postal vote arrangement, you do not need to reapply.
Electors may also choose to vote by proxy, where they appoint someone to vote on their behalf.
The deadline to appoint a proxy is 5pm Wednesday April 24. Proxy voters will be required to show their own valid ID when voting on behalf of someone else.