This year will be the ‘IDeal Time’ to make your voice heard and use your vote, say Sefton Council.
The local authority has launched a campaign this week to raise awareness of new national rules which mean everyone who votes at a polling station must bring photographic identification with them before being allowed to vote.
Anyone registered to vote via post will not be affected.
The changes will take effect from May 2023, when thousands of residents across Sefton are expected to turn out at polling stations to cast their votes in the next local election.
Sefton will hold a local election on Thursday, May 4th 2023 where 22 of the council’s 66 seats will be up for election.
Sefton Council’s Elections team are working hard to ensure anyone over the age of 18 is aware of the new requirements, as well as putting into place additional measures to help those who do not have valid photo ID.
A borough wide advertising campaign, dubbed ‘IDeal Time’ will launch on high streets and public transport across Sefton from March to help people prepare for the changes, as well as encourage as many people as possible to use their democratic vote.
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Resources, said: “These new measures from Central Government, are some of the biggest changes to the election process in decades and we fully understand people will be confused about what they now have to do.
“On polling day we see thousands of people visit their local polling station and have their say in who they want to see representing their communities on Sefton Council and we want to make sure we do everything we can so that nobody is turned away as a result of these changes.
“Quite simply the rules state that if you do not have a valid photo ID when you show up to a polling station, staff are unable to give you a ballot paper and you cannot vote.”
Anyone without a valid photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate up to six working days before the election.
Alternatively those voters who do not want to show ID can apply to cast their vote by post.
Cllr Lappin continued: “There are ways to ensure you can still make sure your voice is heard without having to apply for or use photo ID.
“The most important thing to do first is make sure you are registered to vote by joining the electoral register at your current address. Once you are on the register there are a number of ways we can help.
“If you don’t have ID and still want to vote in person then you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
“We expect to see a significant upturn in applications for postal votes following these changes and our dedicated elections team are preparing for additional demand.
“Your vote matters and we encourage everyone over the age of 18 to have the opportunity to have their democratic say
People must register to vote before April 13th, 2023 and the deadline for receipt of all postal vote applications is April 18, 2023.
For more information about the upcoming elections and rule changes please visit www.sefton.gov.uk/elections.
OTS News on Social Media