Dear Colleague and Partners,

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections.

This new requirement will apply for the first time in England, at the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023, which covers the Harborough district.

We are working hard to ensure that all voters who attend polling stations across the Harborough district are aware of this new requirement, in advance of the election date.

It is particularly important for us to share this message with residents who may not have access to the internet, and who have been voting for many years, and may not anticipate any changes to the regulations.

We would be grateful if partners of Harborough District Council, local charities, and community groups, would share details of these new requirements with their members please.

Please note: The changes do not affect residents who use a postal vote.

Residents who intend to vote in person at a polling station will need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.

Valid forms of ID include:

• Passport

• Driving licence (including provisional license)

• Blue badge

• Certain concessionary travel cards

• Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)

• Biometric Immigration document

• Defence identity card

• Certain national identity cards

For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit: electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID

If you don't already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you're not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

You can apply for this at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk or telephone 0800 328 0280.

Alternatively, email: e.services@harborough.gov.uk or call the Elections Team at Harborough District Council on 01858 821372 and they can send you a form, and are happy to assist with the completion of the form, if help is required.

To set up a postal vote you can email: e.services@harborough.gov.uk or call on 01858 821372 and the elections team will send out a postal vote form with a prepaid envelope.

We will also be promoting the new guidelines via social media and on the radio with Harborough FM, as well as in local media, posted leaflets and in other printed advertising in libraries and leisure centres and at doctors' surgeries and in pharmacies.

By doing this we intend that everyone who wants to vote on 4 May 2023 in the Harborough district will be able to do so.

We thank you for sharing this with our community. It is much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Harborough District Council Elections Team