Wokingham Borough Council is reminding residents to ensure they have suitable photo ID to help them get ready for upcoming elections.
Local elections
Local elections are taking place on Thursday 2 May, with all 54 seats up for contention on Wokingham Borough Council. On the same day, there is also a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election for the Thames Valley and there may be parish council elections if any seats are contested.
Although photo ID was a requirement at last year’s local elections, not all borough wards were up and so for many residents this will be the first time they need to bring ID. The change was introduced as a result of the Elections Act, which was passed in 2022 and has seen a number of changes to elections and voting.
For those who do not have suitable ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC). This can be done online, or by completing a paper form and sending it to Wokingham Borough Council’s electoral services team.
For the local and PCC elections in May, the deadline to apply for a VAC is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.
Check your ID
Before applying, check the ID you already have. Accepted forms of ID include:
- Passport
- Full or provisional driving licence
- Blue badge
- Certain concessionary travel cards, such as an older person’s buss pass or an Oyster 60+ card
- Identity card with Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) mark
- Biometric Immigration document
- Defence identity card
- Certain national identity cards
Expired ID will also be accepted, as long as the photograph on the document still resembles a likeness of the elector.
A full list of accepted forms of ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about photo ID and how to apply for a VAC.
Check you are registered to vote
If you turn up at a polling station without suitable photo ID, you will not be issued with a ballot paper. Bringing your poll card alone will not entitle you to vote. Before starting an application for a VAC, you must first remember to check you are registered to vote. The deadline to register is 11.59pm on Tuesday 16 April.
Changes to Ward boundaries
Changes have been made to the electoral ward boundaries in Wokingham borough, with two new constituencies.
Key dates
Register to Vote – Deadline Midnight Tue 16 April
Cancel/amend existing postal/proxy – Deadline 5pm on Wed 17 April
New Postal Vote Applications – Deadline 5pm on Wed 17 April
Free VAC – Deadline 5pm on Wed 24th April
Find out more HERE.
Electoral Services Team
You can contact WBC’s Electoral Services Team by email, or call (0118) 974 6000 to request a paper copies of application forms. The team will also be happy to help with any queries you may have in completing a form.
