People wishing to vote in elections in Ipswich are reminded of the need to register and to take photo ID with them, to ensure they can have their say in the General Election on 4 July.
There are two constituencies in the Borough of Ipswich; the wards of Castle Hill, Whitehouse and Whitton are within the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich constituency, whilst the remainder of the Borough forms the Ipswich Constituency.
Regardless of which constituency you live in, to be able to participate in these elections, you must be registered to vote. Registrations for Thursday 4 July elections close at 11.59pm on Thursday 18 June.
People not already registered, or those who need to update their details can do so online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
This is also the first General Election at which, under national legislation, anyone voting in a polling station will need to have approved photo ID with them in order to receive their ballot paper(s).
Acceptable forms of ID include passports and driving licences, a blue badge, and some concessionary travel cards. If a form of ID has expired, it will still be accepted so long as the photograph is still a good likeness of the individual. A full list of eligible ID can be found at: www.ipswich.gov.uk/pollingstationID
Anyone without an eligible form of ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate as an alternative. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June. Find out more about this at: www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
A paper copy of the Voter Authority Certificate form is also available from Electoral Services, email: elections@ipswich.gov.uk or call 01473 432000 to request this or for additional support with applying.
Photo ID is not required to vote by post. The deadline to register for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 19 June. To register visit: www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote
Details on how to apply for a postal vote can be found at: www.ipswich.gov.uk/how-to-vote
Voters who aren’t able to vote in person on 4 July can apply for a proxy vote where someone else can vote for you. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June. To apply, visit: www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote
To find out more, and to apply by 5pm on Wednesday 26 June, visit: www.ipswich.gov.uk/how-to-vote
Helen Pluck, Acting Returning Officer for the Ipswich Constituency says:
“Following the changes for voter rules last year, we’re reminding residents of the need to check they have an eligible form of ID to bring with them when they cast their votes on 4 July.
Residents who don’t have an eligible form of ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate until 5pm on 26 June.
We also want to remind everyone who wants to take part in this year’s elections of the need to register to vote before they can do so.”
