People wishing to vote in the local elections in Ipswich are reminded of the need to take photo ID with them, to ensure they can have their say on 4 May.
In total 16 of the Council’s seats (a third of all Councillors) are involved in elections this year, one in each ward. Plus a by-election in Suffolk County Council’s Priory Heath division.
The 2023 local elections will be the first to take place under new national legislation, meaning that anyone voting in a polling station will need to have approved photo ID with them in order to their receive ballot paper(s) this year.
Acceptable forms of ID include passports and driving licences, a blue badge and some concessionary travel cards. If a form of ID has expired, it will still be accepted so long as the photograph is still a good likeness of the individual. A full list of eligible ID can be found at: www.ipswich.gov.uk/pollingstationID
Anyone without an eligible form of ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate as an alternative. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April. Find out more about this at: www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
A paper copy of the Voter Authority Certificate form is also available from Electoral Services, email: elections@ipswich.gov.uk or call 01473 432000 to request this.
People must already be registered to vote in order to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. Anyone who is not already registered to vote can do so at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
The deadline to register to vote to take part in this year’s elections is 23:59 on Monday 17 April.
Photo ID is not required to vote by post. The deadline to register for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 18 April. Details on how to apply for a postal vote can be found at: www.ipswich.gov.uk/how-to-vote
Helen Pluck, Returning Officer for Ipswich Borough Council says: "With changes to voting rules at this year’s elections, we’re issuing a reminder to residents of the need to bring photographic ID with them on 4 May. Anyone without an eligible form of ID can easily apply for a Voter ID until 5pm on 25 April.”
