Your vote is at risk - please act now to ensure your voice is heard.
The Conservative Government made it harder for you to vote. If you don’t have the right photo ID or forget to take it with you, you won’t be allowed to vote at your polling station.
Only certain types of photo ID will be accepted. Check if you have acceptable ID from the list here: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id
The name on your ID must match the name on the electoral roll. If you've recently changed your name (for example you've got married and changed your surname) and have updated one, but not both, of the electoral roll and your ID you will not be able to use it to vote.
If you are unsure if you have suitable ID you can:
- apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate to vote in person, or;
- apply for a Postal Vote and get your identify checked in advance, avoiding any worry around polling day. See how to do this below.
Liberal Democrats opposed these changes. The election watchdog had ‘fundamental concerns’ over the new rules. Yet the government forced them through.
Act now to protect your vote
If you're not registered to vote you can do so online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
If you're a Wokingham Borough resident but not sure if you are registered, you can check this with electoralservices@wokingham.gov.uk
If you want to register but are worried about your details appearing on the public register, there is information available here: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/register-vote/register-vote-anonymously
Get a Postal Vote to avoid the risks of photo ID
Even if you have the right photo ID, you might end up unable to vote if:
- You forget to take your ID to the polling station
- You lose your ID on election day or shortly before
- Polling station staff have doubts about your likeness to the photo
- Something unexpected comes up on election day and you don't make it to the polling station.
Registering for a postal vote overcomes all these issues. Identity checks are carried out when you register to vote by post without needing photo ID. Your voting slip will be posted to you a few weeks in advance and can be returned by Freepost prior to polling day or handed in at your polling station on the day.
If you live in Wokingham Borough, it's easy to apply for a postal vote, simply print a copy of this form: https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=331222 and return to the freepost address at the top of the form.