Elections 2023 - frequently asked questions

How can I vote in Elections

There are a number of ways to have your say in Elections.

You can vote:

• in person at your polling station
• by post
• by appointing as proxy someone you trust to vote on your behalf

To vote in any elections you must be registered to vote. If you have not changed address recently and you received a poll card for the last elections in May 2023, then you are probably already registered. However, if you have changed address recently then you may need to register. This can be done online in just 5 minutes 0at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or you can download the relevant forms.

To vote in person at any election, you must show photographic ID at the polling station. See further details below.

How can I apply to vote by post?

To apply to vote by post you need to download, print and fill in a postal vote application form. Once you have completed the form and signed it, you need to send it to:

The Electoral Services Team, Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6HX

Alternatively, you can email it to elections@stratford-dc.gov.uk

If you're thinking about voting by post, you can apply to do this now. This will make sure your application is processed early, and your postal vote can be sent to you more quickly once the candidates for any election are confirmed.

Is voting by post safe?

Yes, voting by post is safe and proven cases of electoral fraud are very rare. When voting by post, you should mark your vote on the ballot paper in secret and seal the envelope yourself.

You will also be asked to give your date of birth and signature when applying for a postal or proxy vote. This makes postal voting safe, because when you return your postal voting pack your signature and date of birth are checked against those you provided previously to confirm your identity.

Your signature and date of birth are separated from your ballot paper before it is looked at or counted, so giving this information will not affect the secrecy of your vote.

How can I apply to vote by proxy?

If you are not able to cast your vote in person, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you. This is called a proxy vote and the person casting your vote is often referred to as your proxy. The person voting on your behalf can either go to your polling station to cast your vote or can apply to vote for you by post.

To apply for a proxy vote, complete the form to vote by proxy, explaining why you can't get to your polling station in person and send it to:

The Electoral Services Team, Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6HX

Alternatively, you can email it to elections@stratford-dc.gov.uk

Will I need to bring my own pen or pencil?

We will provide a pencil for you to mark your ballot paper, but you are always welcome to use your own pen or pencil.

I hear that Photo ID for electors is being introduced from the May 2023 Elections?

From 4 May 2023 onwards, the Elections Act 2022 requires voters who are on the Register of Electors to show photographic identification at polling stations before they are given a ballot paper.

Here is the list of accepted forms of photographic identification:-

• A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country

• A photo-driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state

• A biometric immigration document

• An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)

• A Blue Badge

• A national identity card issued by an EEA state

• An Older Person's Bus Pass

• A Disabled Person's Bus Pass

• An Oyster 60+ Card

• A Freedom Pass

• A Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland

• A 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales

• A Disabled Person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales

• A Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

• A Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person's SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

• A War Disablement SmartPass or War Disabled SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

• A 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

• A Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

• An Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland

• A Voter Authority Certificate or a temporary Voter Authority Certificate

If you do not have any photo ID, you will be able to apply for Voter Authority Certificate - a free photographic identification document specific for the purposes of voting. Applications for Voter Authority Certificates should be made via the Government portal at www.gov.uk

If your photographic identification document has expired, it may still be accepted as long as the photograph is still a good likeness of you. As an elector, if you feel that you might not have any photo ID and do not wish to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, you can always apply for a postal vote.