Join us at our January Voter ID drop-in information session
Date: Tuesday 22 January 2024
Venue: New Barnet Library
Time: drop by any time between 11am and 3pm
In this session we will:
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Explain the changes
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Identify if your current photo ID is acceptable to vote
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Help you apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate or other forms of approved photo ID
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Answer any questions about the changes to election law
This is a drop-in awareness and information session, so there is no need to book.
More information:
- Voting in person
Voting rights have changed. Last year the law around voting in UK parliamentary elections, local elections, and the elections for Mayor of London and London Assembly changed. The biggest change to the way we vote is the requirement of acceptable photo ID to vote.
From May 2023, voters will be required to present photo identification to vote in elections and only certain forms of photo ID can be used to vote. You can still vote by post without using a photo ID, however.
- Postal voting
You will need to renew your postal vote every 3 years by resubmitting a postal vote application
There will be a limit on the number of postal vote packs that you can hand in at a polling station. You will be allowed to take your own, and up to five others
Political parties and campaigners will be banned from handling postal vote packs on behalf of electors
When you apply for a postal vote you will need to provide proof of your identity. Both online and paper applications will require ID verification
You can apply for a postal vote online
Existing postal voters will be notified when they need to re-register
- When do the changes come into force?
The process for a three yearly postal vote application began in October 2023 but if you currently have a postal vote in place you do not need to reapply
Online absent voting applications came into force on 31 October 2023
The rules of secrecy and who can handle postal votes are expected to in place for elections in May 2024
- Proxy voting
There will be a limit to how many people a voter can act as a proxy for. Currently, a person can act as a proxy for an unlimited number of close relatives and two other people. Under the new rules, voters would be limited to acting as a proxy for two people, regardless of their relationship. Anyone voting on behalf of UK voters who live overseas could act as a proxy for up to four people.
- When do the changes come into force?
The changes to proxy voting came into force on 31 October 2023.