Sandwell residents are being urged to remember their photo ID when they go to vote in the General Election on Thursday 4 July.
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 (including a provisional licence),
- some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s or disabled person’s bus pass,
- a Blue Badge,an identity card with the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card),
- a Voter Authority Certificate
- and some other forms of official photographic identification.
Voters will be able to use expired forms of accepted photo ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
At polling stations, voters will need to present accepted photo ID and for it to be checked by polling station staff. A private area will be available at the polling station so a voter can choose to have their ID viewed in private if they wish.
Shokat Lal, Acting Returning Officer at Sandwell Council, said: “With only days to go, make sure you’re ready for the General Election on Thursday 4 July. Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm.
“Before heading to the polling station on election day, check that you’ve got an accepted form of ID and remember to take it with you.
“If you need any help, there is information about voter ID on our website at or you can contact the Electoral Services team on 0121 569 3244.
“If a voter has concerns about showing their face at a polling station, because they wear a face covering for example, they 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.”
Anyone handing in a postal vote at a polling station is also reminded that they will have to sign a form, and that a maximum of five postal votes plus a voter’s own postal vote can be handed over at a polling station or at Sandwell Council House in person. Postal votes should not be given to candidates or agents as they are not permitted to handle them.
Craig Westwood, Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission, said: Anyone voting in the General Election will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. Before you head to the polling station, double check you have the right identification with you to enable you to vote.
“If you get to a polling station and you have forgotten your ID, you can return later with it before the polls close and cast your vote.”
The full list of accepted ID, along with more information about the new requirement, is also available on the Electoral Commission’s website.
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.