With local elections set to take place on 4th May, residents who do not have an accepted form of photo ID to vote are being reminded to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
Bath & North East Somerset Council is encouraging voters who do not have photo ID to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate either online or by completing a paper form.
The deadline to apply for the certificate is 5pm on Tuesday 25th April.
Residents who are registered to vote at the polling station but do not have an accepted photo ID, such as a passport, photocard driving licence, Blue Badge, Older Person’s Bus Pass or a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass, will need to provide a passport-style photo, full name, date of birth, the address at which they are registered to vote, and their National Insurance number to apply for the Voter Authority Certificate.
Those who are unsure whether their photo ID will be accepted can check the full list of accepted forms of photo ID on the council website or call 01225 477333.
If a voter has an out-of-date accepted form of photo ID and the photo still looks like them, it can still be used at the polling station.
Voter Authority Certificates can be applied for in person at council offices or online here.
Council offices where residents can apply for the certificate include The Guildhall in Bath, Bath Housing, Welfare and Advice Service on Manvers Street, Keynsham Information and Advice Service, and Midsomer Norton Information and Advice Service.
If applying at a council office, staff will be able to take a photograph to accompany their application.
Will Godfrey, Returning Officer for Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “Changes in national legislation mean that for the first time, voters will need to take photo ID with them when they vote in person at the polling stations.
“If you have any questions about voter ID or would like to request a paper form to apply for the Voter Authority Certificate, contact us on 01225 477333 or [email protected].”
For older residents, Age UK BANES is offering one-to-one support with applying online for voter ID.
To find out more, call their Information and Advice team on 01225 466 135 or email them on [email protected].
Residents who require information about voter ID in large print, electronic braille or audio format can contact 01225 477333 or [email protected].
