Come what May, voter ID needed for Police and Crime Commissioner Election

The Police and Crime Commissioner Election takes place on 2 May and Wiltshire Council is reminding electors of everything they need to know in order to vote, including photo ID and some changes to postal voting processes.

Following the Elections Act 2022, photographic identification is now a mandatory requirement for electors voting in polling stations.

Accepted forms of photo ID include passports, photographic driving licences, biometric immigration documents, and certain concessionary travel passes. A comprehensive list can be found at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id (opens new window).

For those without accepted photo ID, a free Voter Authority Certificate can be obtained online (opens new window). Applications must be submitted by 5pm Wednesday 24 April to be processed in time for the 2 May election. The Voter Authority Certificate can be used at all elections and people are advised to apply as early as possible.

If electors are away on polling day, they now have the option to apply conveniently online through the Government website for a postal or proxy vote. Apply online at or www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote (opens new window). People are required to provide their National Insurance number or another identity document when registering for either postal or proxy voting. More information about recent changes the postal and proxy vote process can be found at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/news-and-views/elections-act/changes-postal-voting (opens new window).

To vote in the Police and Crime Commissioner election, people must be registered by midnight on Tuesday 16 April 2024. If not already registered, people can complete the process at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote (opens new window). Voters only need to register once, unless they have changed their name, address or nationality.

Postal votes should be returned via Royal Mail. There is now a limit on the number of postal vote packs that can be hand delivered (e.g. to a polling station) - an elector can only submit their own and up to five others, and they will be required to fill in an additional form.

Proxy voters are restricted to acting on behalf of two people, regardless of their relationship. Those voting on behalf of UK voters living overseas or service voters can act as a proxy for up to four people, with a maximum of two being UK residents.

Terence Herbert, Returning Officer for Wiltshire, said: This is the first major election in the Wiltshire Council local authority area that will require voter ID. We don't want a lack of ID to prevent people from casting their ballot, so I ask people to please remember their ID or certificate before they head out to vote.

We also encourage people to vote by post if they possibly can, as it's more convenient for the resident and for us to administer as a council. There's still time for people to register to vote if they aren't already, but it's always sensible to get it done as early as possible.

Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for overseeing the work of Wiltshire Police.

More information can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/elections-pcc

Anyone who can't go online to complete a form can call Wiltshire Council's Elections Team on 0300 456 01 12 or email elections@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) and ask to be posted a paper form. People are asked to request their form to be posted well before the deadline.