Walsall residents reminded to check their photo ID ahead of General Election

As the deadline to get a free Voter Authority Certificate in time for this election fast approaches, Walsall Council is reminding residents without suitable photo ID to ensure they apply before 5pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024.

Voters in the General Election on Thursday 4 July 2024 will need to show photographic ID when voting at a polling station. 

Emma Bennett, Acting Returning Officer at Walsall Council, said, “With a General Election taking place in Walsall on Thursday 4 July 2024, residents need to make sure that they have suitable photo ID if they wish to vote at a polling station. The deadline for applications for the Voter Authority Certificate is approaching and I would urge residents to apply in plenty of time.”

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with information about how to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate online at www.voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or by completing a paper application form, available on request from the Electoral Services team at Walsall Council. To contact the Electoral Services team, call 01922 652502 or email electionoffice@walsall.gov.uk.

To apply for the Voter Authority Certificate, voters will need to provide a photo, full name, date of birth, the address at which they are registered to vote and their National Insurance number. Only people registered to vote will be able to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate and the deadline to register to vote is midnight on Tuesday 18 June 2024. You can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Walsall residents who need support with accessing digital services can go to one of the borough’s Walsall Connected centres, which have free WiFi and access to public computers as well as trained staff and volunteers on hand to assist. Walsall Connected is a partnership between Walsall Council and local community organisations, libraries and partner organisations. For more information, visit:  

www.walsall.gov.uk/people_and_communities/walsall_connected.

Key dates

• Deadline to register to vote: midnight on Tuesday 18 June 2024.

• Deadline to apply for a postal vote: 5pm on Wednesday 19 June 2024. 

• Deadline to apply for a proxy vote: 5pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024.

• Deadline to apply for free photo ID certificate: 5pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024.

• Polling Day: 7am to 10pm on Thursday 4 July 2024. 

• Counting and declarations: overnight on Thursday 4 to Friday 5 July 2024.

For more information, please visit: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/your-council/voting-and-elections

To view the list of candidates, please visit: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/your-council/voting-and-elections/upcoming-elections-and-legal-notices