Voters across West Oxfordshire District are being encouraged to make sure they are registered, have applied for postal voting, and applied for identification if needed, ahead of the deadlines so that they can vote in the district council and police and crime commissioner elections on 2 May.
To take part in any election, anyone over the age of 18 must be registered in the area they live in. Some people eligible to vote may not be registered and therefore will not be able to cast a vote. This may be because they have recently moved or are voting for the first time.
Poll cards will be sent to all registered voters at the end of March, you do not need to reapply if your poll card is correct. Residents can make an application to register to vote through the Government website which takes only five minutes to complete. They must register by 16 April and can do so at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Some residents prefer to vote by post, by using a postal vote, residents can make sure their voice is heard at the local elections from the safety of their home. Residents can apply to receive their vote by post, before the application deadline of 5pm on 17 April. Applications can be made online by visiting www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.
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 will not need to apply again.
Electors may also choose to appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf in the polling station. To be able to vote by proxy, applications must be received by Wednesday 24 April by 5pm. Proxy voters will be required to show their own valid ID when voting on behalf of someone else. Applications can be made online by visiting www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote.
Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote in May by checking they have an accepted form of photographic ID.
Accepted forms of photographic ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth photocard drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass. Voters will be able to use expired ID as long as the photograph is still a good likeness. Voters 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 online at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or by completing a paper form which is available from the Council.
More information is available on the West Oxfordshire District Council website, including details of how to apply for the free ID. Anyone not able to visit the council website, or apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online, is being encouraged to contact the Council by calling 01993 861410. Residents must have applied for Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm Tuesday 24 April.