Voter ID

 

VOTER ID

From May 2023, voters in Hart will be required to show photographic identification at polling stations before they are given a ballot paper.

This will affect all voters across Hart who vote in person or by proxy, at the next local election, due to be held on Thursday 4 May 2023.

The types of ID allowed include:

• Various concessionary travel passes
• PASS cards
• Ministry of Defence identity cards
• Photocard parking permits issued as part of Blue Badge scheme
• Driver’s licences
• Passports

Expired photographic identification will also be accepted if the photograph is of a good enough likeness to allow polling station staff to confirm the identity of the holder.

NO SUITABLE ID?
If you do not have any of the accepted photo ID, and you want to vote at the polling station, you will need to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. This is a free photographic identification document specific for the purposes of voting. Voters who do not produce a Voter Authority Certificate or valid identification will not be allowed to vote on the polling day.

APPLY ONLINE
You can apply for your Voter Authority Certificate online via https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

APPLY IN PERSON
You can also apply in person at Hart District Council. Please call 01252 774077 or email elections@hart.gov.uk to make an appointment.

INFO YOU WILL NEED TO APPLY:
When applying for a Voter Authority Certificate, you will need to provide your:

• Name
• Address
• Date of birth
• National Insurance number
• A recent photograph

You should apply using the same name that you used to register to vote.

You can still apply if you don’t know your National Insurance number, or don’t have one. You will need to provide other forms of proof of identity, such as a birth certificate, bank statement and a utility bill.

POSTAL / PROXY VOTE
Postal voters will not be affected and will be issued with their postal ballot papers as usual. If you choose to vote by proxy, then the person who you have trusted to vote on your behalf will have to take their own identification in order to be issued with a ballot paper.