Nuneaton and Bedworth residents will need to show photographic ID to vote at the forthcoming General Election.
Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote on Thursday, 4 July by checking if they have an accepted form of ID.
Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA), or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth driving licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass.
Voters will be able to use an expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online or by completing a paper form.
The full list of accepted IDs is available from the Electoral Commission along with more information about the requirements and details of how to apply for a free ID.
If you don't have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate to vote in the General Election is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June.
Tom Shardlow, Returning Officer for the Nuneaton constituency, said:
“With the General Election taking place on 4 July 2024, it is important that those who want to vote make sure they have an accepted form of ID.
“Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to Nuneaton and Bedworth’s Electoral Services team.’’
The Nuneaton constituency includes Nuneaton and Arley and Hartshill.
Bedworth residents are in the North Warwickshire and Bedworth Constituency.
And the Rugby constituency includes the village of Bulkington and a small part of the recently revised Whitestone Ward.
If you need any help with applying for the free ID or want to request an application form, contact the electoral services team at elections@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk.
Anyone who wants to have their say in the election this July must also be registered to vote.
The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station is a new requirement introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act, which was passed in 2022 and came into effect in May 2023.