Remember to bring your photo ID to vote
Wirral residents are being urged to remember their photo ID when they go to vote tomorrow (Thursday 2 May) in elections for a Mayor for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and a Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner.
Voters will need to show photo ID at polling stations before they can receive their ballot paper.
Accepted forms of photo ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK or EEA drivers’ licence; some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass (please note that Merseytravel Local Bus Passes are not a valid form of ID. A Merseytravel pass must say ‘Funded by HM Government’ to be valid), and a free Voter Authority Certificate.
Voters can use expired photo ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
At polling stations, voters will be required to present photo ID to be checked by polling station staff. A private area will be available at the polling station for anyone who wants their photo ID viewed in private.
Craig Westwood, Director of Communications, at the Electoral Commission, said:
Anyone voting at a polling station in England will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. Before you head to the polling station on Thursday, don’t forget to check you have the photo ID you need to vote.
Anyone concerned about showing their face at a polling station, because they wear a face covering for example, can ask to have their ID checked in private. They won’t need to give a reason for their request or explain why they’d prefer privacy. Staff will be trained to handle requests for ID to be checked in private, discreetly and with courtesy.
The full list of accepted ID, along with more information about the new requirement, is available on the Electoral Commission’s website.
Paul Satoor, Local Returning Officer at Wirral Council, said:
With only a day to go, make sure you’re ready for the elections tomorrow. Check that you’ve got an accepted form of photo ID and remember to bring it with you to the polling station.
If you need any help, you can contact Wirral’s electoral services team by e-mail at electoral@wirral.gov.uk or tel. 0151 691 8046.
If voters lose their ID, or their Voter Authority Certificate does not arrive in time for election day, they can appoint an emergency proxy to vote on their behalf up until 5pm on election day. The person appointed as proxy, voting on someone else’s behalf, must have their own acceptable photo ID.
