Havant Borough Council is putting a range of measures in place to ensure its residents can vote easily on Thursday 4 May 2023.
As part of the Government’s commitment to updating security protections around identity at the polls it has introduced a requirement for voters to prove their identity at the polling station. The Government has changed the law regarding voting and from 4 May 2023, anyone voting in person at a polling station will need to show suitable photo ID before they can cast their vote.
Most people won’t need to do anything, other than bring their photo ID with them when they vote. The list of acceptable forms of photo ID is long and even out-of-date ID will be accepted - provided it still looks like you!
People who don’t have any photo ID need not worry, there are many options in place to ensure they still get to have their vote.
- Apply for a postal vote – if you cannot attend the polling station
- Apply for a proxy vote – appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf
- Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate
Havant Borough Council's Interim Chief Executive, Kim Sawyer explains: "On 4 May, we want you to vote. So we are here to make it as easy as possible for you to do so.
"Anyone who will be too busy to vote on the day I would encourage them to apply for a postal vote before 5pm on Tuesday 18 April so they can post their vote back at their convenience, with no need for photographic ID.
"Those wishing to vote in person on the day, will require photo ID and need to check to ensure what they have meets with what is required.
"If you have no ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online. The process is quite straightforward – as long as you have internet access and a camera, you can do it.
‘However, we know that not everyone has internet access, so we are providing a specific area at the Public Service Plaza where we can assist you with the whole process. All you need to do is make sure you bring your National Insurance number or other documents that can prove your identity.
“We’re doing everything we can to make sure that people can take part in the democratic process and we’re here to help every step of the way.”
Acceptable forms of photo ID include*:
- UK-issued passport or driving licence
- Bus pass
- Blue badge
- PASS proof of age card
*As long as the photo still looks like you and your name on the ID is the same as your name on the electoral register, it doesn’t matter if the ID is out of date. For a full list of acceptable photo ID, please visit: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id.
To apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online, visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. Applicants will need their National Insurance number or other documents (which must be scanned in or uploaded), such as utility bill, council tax statement, birth certificate, and a passport-style photograph. Full details are provided on the gov.uk website.
Visit the Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, PO9 2AX, between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday where we can assist you with the whole process . The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.
If you do not have internet access, and cannot get to the Plaza please call 023 9244 6225 for a paper form to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate or to request a postal or proxy vote application form.
We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to vote on Thursday 4 May 2023 by helping our residents meet the new requirements for presenting photo ID when voting in person at the local elections.