The way we vote is changing

Voter ID is being introduced in the UK for the next local election on May 4th 2023. As a Labour CLP, we have been spreading the word about this change in legislation as we think it will impact Labour voters more than others. 

You will not be able to vote at a polling station without certain forms of voter ID eg passport, drivers licence, older person’s bus pass, Voter Authority Certificate. Some of these forms of ID are expensive and younger people, or people on lower incomes, are unlikely to have one.

The Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) is free from gov.uk — but the deadline is Tuesday 25th April at 5pm for this year’s local elections. This means for the run-up to the elections, in the final week or so, people will not be able to apply in time for a free VAC.

How you can help

We urge all Labour members and voters to ensure they have the right voter ID in place – you can check here: electoralcommission.org.uk

And please tell all your friends and family that if they don’t bring photo ID to the polling station on May 4th, they will be turned away.

There is a way to arrange a proxy vote if your photo ID has been lost – someone can vote in your place as long as THEY have photo ID. To organise this, you can fill in a form here and take it to the Town Hall: Apply to vote by proxy