Voters heading to a polling station in Blackburn with Darwen are being reminded they must bring photo ID if they want to cast their ballot in person.
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With only two and a half weeks to go until election day, the council is urging people to check now whether they have one of the accepted forms of identification.
Anyone voting at a polling station must show an accepted photo ID, such as a passport, some travel passes, biometric immigration documents or a photo driving licence.
Expired ID can still be used, as long as the photograph still looks like you.
The accepted forms include UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, British Overseas Territory, EEA and Commonwealth passports; UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or EEA photo driving licences, including provisional licences; EEA photographic ID cards; biometric immigration documents; PASS cards; Blue Badges; Oyster 60+ Cards; concessionary travel passes funded by HM Government or a local authority; and Disabled Person’s Bus Passes.
If you do not have any of the accepted photo ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate up until 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.
The certificate is free and can be applied for online through the Gov.uk website. A paper application form can also be printed from the same site.
Denise Park, Returning Officer for elections in Blackburn with Darwen and the Council’s Chief Executive, said photographic ID was required at polling stations for the first time in May 2023.
She said that at the last elections in Blackburn with Darwen in 2024, 99% of voters brought the correct form of photo ID to vote.
Ms Park added that the Voter Authority Certificate is available to anyone who needs it to vote in person at a polling station.
More information about the local elections in Blackburn with Darwen on 7 May, including the candidates standing in each ward, is available on the council’s elections and voting page.
