Residents looking to cast their vote at a local polling station are being reminded they need to bring with them identification with local elections just months away
Thursday 12th Jan 2023 12:57pm
Voters in Hartlepool are being reminded that new rules requiring voters provide identification at polling stations is being introduced in a bid to stamp out election fraud.
As a result, anyone looking to cast a vote at a polling station will now need to provide an acceptable form of ID with them before being able to cast their vote.
Hartlepool will elect a 3rd of its council in this years elections
It comes as Hartlepool is less than 12 weeks away from local council elections which could potentially see the balance of power on the local council shift again as Labour looks to regain control of Hartlepool Borough Council & the Conservative / Independent coalition seeking to hang onto the reins of power at the local authority.
From the 4th May 2023, voters in England will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.
The new rules will apply to:
Local elections
Police and Crime Commissioner elections
UK parliamentary by-elections
Recall petitions
From October 2023, it will also apply to UK General elections.
If you don't have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
The tightening up of postal votes looks also set to be introduced...
Changes to postal voting is being mulled over by the government over claims of significant "fraud" being uncovered.
Potential changes to postal votes could also be on the horizon following an electoral commission report claiming 68% of people polled reportedly believe postal votes to be “insecure” with claims postal voter fraud is “rife”, with many believing the system of postal voting is open to flagrant abuse...
The government is reportedly said to be looking into tightening the legislation regarding postal voting which could lead to those on the electoral register wishing to receive a postal vote having to be on the electoral register for a minimum period of three years before being allowed a postal vote.
Its also claimed that the government is looking into the banning of political parties & campaigners from handling completed postal votes & postal vote envelopes.
Click the link below to check what forms of ID are accepted.
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