Ellis James, Electoral Services, WNC
Minutes:
Since May 2023 voters have been required to show ID when voting in person at a Polling Station. We hadn’t really had any issues with voter fraud previously, but need to follow the rules. This May’s election will be the first election for WNC since the change. The Team had been looking at what other aeras had done in order to learn from them rather than making the same mistakes. Staff in the Polling Station will be required to ask a voter for their legal name and address, then to see their ID.
Frist of all you need to be registered to vote – the easiest method is online through Register to vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If you have recently changed your name, email electoral services - electoralservices@westnorthants.gov.uk
Acceptable forms of ID can be found here - Accepted forms of photo ID | Electoral Commission If you think your ID does not look like you, it might be worth updating it.
If you do not have any acceptable ID you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for free. VAC has been introduced as a free form of photo ID and can be applied for as many times as you need to. It cannot be used for ID for anything else. Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) If you need one, it is best to do it as soon as possible, the absolute deadline is 5pm, 6 days prior to the election. When taking a photo keep your hair out of face so it is visible. Glasses can be worn.
Gender markers will not be checked. So far, something between 0.25 – 1.4% people not been given a voter paper. You will not be given one if the Polling Station staff have reasonable doubt you are not the person you claim to be.
Staff will be trained before elections to check voter certificates and you will not be discriminated against. There is the option to request it is checked in private space – you do not need to give a reasonable reason for this. No one except the Presiding Officer or Poll Clerk can check ID. You can request a woman, but there is currently no legislation that says there needs to be a woman in every station. Mirrors will be provided so any face coverings can adjusted.
If you prefer a postal vote, register through this link - Apply for a postal vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) No ID required.
If you are away and want a proxy to vote for you, apply through this link How to vote: Voting by proxy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Your proxy will need to supply their ID but not yours.
The next elections are: Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Thursday May 2nd 2024. The next General Election must take place before January 28th 2025 but it is anticipated sometime in 2024.
Election notices etc can be viewed here - Election notices and future elections | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)
If you are interested in working the elections follow this link - Employment opportunities at elections | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)
Electoral Services can be contacted:-
• electoralservices@westnorthants.gov.uk
• 01604 837111
• Electoral services | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk
Pauline asked Ellis if they went out into the community to share this information with groups. Ellis stated that they were a small team and did not have much capacity but would see what they could do. More than happy to speak to people if they came to the Guildhall. As far as different languages went canvassers for the annual canvas in the autumn had a language guide to take out. Eleri stated she would take any leaflets out to the harder to reach community groups. Dawn was interested to know if there were any women in the team who could deliver as some groups would be more comfortable with that. Ellis said yes, there were. She also asked about students. Ellis responded that students could vote in the place they lived and also the place the lived while studying but needed to register for both. Applications were dealt with fairly quickly but best not to leave it until the last minute.
Everyone thanked Ellis for an interesting and informative presentation.