Halton voters urged to register in time for deadline

A third of the borough's council seats across all 18 wards will be up for grabs but anyone wishing to cast their vote at the ballot box on Thursday, May 4 must not only be registered to vote - but for the very first time they must also take photo ID with them to the polling station.

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on April 17 and Halton residents can apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, with the whole process taking around five minutes.

For the first time ever this year, voters will also need to show photo ID to vote at a polling station. The new requirement was introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act. A lit of permissible photo ID is available on the Electoral Commission website.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted types of ID can apply for free ID at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or by completing and submitting a paper form to Halton Council. Applications must be made by 5pm on 25 April, to be able to use the Voter Authority Certificate on May 4.

The need to have Voter ID only applies to those who wish to vote in person at a polling station or through a proxy in person, it does not affect those who vote by post.

Craig Westwood, Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission, said: "It is important that people check they’re election ready ahead of upcoming deadlines. All voters must be registered, and some may need to apply for a postal or proxy vote or free ID.

“At elections in May, for the first time, voters will need to show photo ID at polling stations. Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID can apply for free ID online or by completing a paper form and submitting it to their local council.”

Information about the new requirement and all voting options can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website. For further help contact Halton Council’s electoral registration team at electoral@halton.gov.uk or call 0303 333 4300.