Remember to bring photo ID for Shinfield by-election

Residents wanting to vote in the upcoming by-election for Shinfield Ward must check they have suitable photo ID and remember to bring it with them on polling day.

The by-election will be held on Thursday 5 December to fill a vacant seat on the borough council. The deadline to register to vote for this election is Tuesday 19 November.

For any residents that have not voted at recent elections, the requirement to bring photo ID when voting in person may be new to them. 

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm and you must present your ID in order to be issued with a ballot paper. If you don’t bring it, you can return at a later time with your ID and vote.

Accepted forms of ID include:

• Passport
• Full or provisional driving licence
• Blue badge
• Certain concessionary travel cards, such as an older person’s bus 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 how to apply.

If you do not have any of the approved forms of ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate in order to take part in the election. The deadline to apply is 5pm on Wednesday 27 November.

Andrew Moulton, Returning Officer at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “Whether this is your first time voting with photo ID, or you are aware of the recent changes, it is very important for everyone to remember to bring their ID on polling day. 

"Check you have appropriate ID, make a note of which form of ID you intend to use on 5 December and set a reminder on your phone or in your calendar so that you are ready to vote at the by-election.”

The candidates for the by-election have now been published on the council's website.

It is also possible to take part in this by-election as an absent voter. The deadline for receipt of postal vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday 20 November and for proxy vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday 27 November.

The votes will be counted overnight following the close of the polls at 10pm on 5 December.