Have your say in May’s local elections
On Thursday 4 May, people in Barnsley will have their say at the local elections on who represents them and their communities.
This year, Barnsley residents will be voting to select:
•Councillors, who represent their local area and residents, and will help shape the future of their local area by making plans and taking decisions.
•Parish Councillors, who make decisions on local issues affecting their parish and act as ambassadors for their community, keeping everyone aware of local needs and concerns.
To be able to vote, residents must be registered. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 17 April. It takes just five minutes to apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Other ways to vote
People can choose to vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 18 April, or 5pm on Tuesday 25 April for a proxy vote.
You need a photo ID to vote at a polling station
For the first time, people will need to show photo ID to vote at this year’s local elections. Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote in May by checking they have an accepted form of ID.
Accepted forms of ID include a passport, driving licence, including provisional and blue badge; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass, disabled person’s bus pass and proof of age identity card with a PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme).
Voters will be able to use expired photo ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
No photo ID? Apply for a free Voter ID
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk or by completing a paper form and sending this to Electoral Services, PO Box 634, Barnsley, S70 9GG.
To request a form and need any help, please contact Electoral Services on 01226 773 070.
The deadline to apply for a free Voter ID is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April.
Sarah Norman, Chief Executive and Returning Officer of Barnsley Council, said: “Local elections are an important opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who makes decisions about issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Barnsley.
“With elections taking place in Barnsley on Thursday 4 May 2023, it’s important that those who want to vote to make sure they have an accepted form of photo ID.
“Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID can apply for free photo ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to Barnsley Council’s Electoral Services team. Please give yourself enough time to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline on Tuesday, 25 April 2023.”
The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station, is a new requirement, introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act, which was passed last year and comes into effect for the first time this May.
The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID: electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.
