| Important Dates: Monday 17 April The last day for anyone registering to vote. Tuesday 18 April Applications for the following must be submitted by 5pm: New postal votes and postal proxy votes Changes to existing postal or proxy votes Tuesday 25 April Applications for the following must be submitted by 5pm: Voter Authority Certificate New applications to vote by proxy Thursday 27 April Earliest date for applications for replacements for lost postal votes Thursday 4 May Polling Day |
Registering to Vote
To vote in these elections, you must be registered to vote by 11:59pm on Monday 17 April, 2023.
If you’ve never registered to vote, have recently moved to a different address or changed your name you can register to vote online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
You can also apply by completing a paper application form. If you need help registering to vote or want to request an application form please contact our Electoral Services team by email at vote@westberks.gov.uk or by calling 01635 519464.
If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible to vote you can check at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Bringing identification with you
From 4 May 2023, voters in England will need to show photo ID to vote at a polling station.
If you don’t have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
You can find a complete list of acceptable forms of ID on the Electoral Commission website, and which includes:
- Passport
- Driving licence (including provisional licence)
- Blue badge
- Certain concessionary travel cards
- Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
If you have a form of accepted ID which is out of date, you can still use it to vote at a polling station if it still looks like you.
Applying for a Voter Authority Certificate
Anyone who does not have one of the acceptable form of ID will be able to apply for free ID online – known as a Voter Authority Certificate. Applications can be made online at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID or by completing a paper form and sending it to our Electoral Services team.
The deadline for applying for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April.
If you need any help with applying for the free ID or want to request an application form, contact the electoral services team by calling 01635 519464 or emailing vote@westberks.gov.uk.
- Residents whose safety would be at risk if their name or address were listed on the electoral register can register to vote anonymously by downloading and completing an application form on the electoral commission website as well as applying for an anonymous elector’s document to avoid having to show an identification document.
Voting by post or proxy
Voting by post
If you want to vote by post, you’ll need to complete a postal vote application form and make sure it reaches us by 5pm on Tuesday 18 April. Postal votes will be sent out to arrive from 21 April onwards.
You will receive your ballot paper in the post. Complete and return your ballot paper, ensuring you leave enough time for it to reach us by 10pm on Thursday 4 May.
Voting by proxy
This is where you allow someone you trust to vote on your behalf.
To apply to vote by proxy, complete an application form and make sure it reaches us by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April.
The person you choose to vote on your behalf will need to go to your polling station to vote and will need to show their own photo ID to be able to cast your vote. They will not need to show your ID when voting on your behalf, just their own.
Further information
- Please remember to check your poll card to see where your polling station is – it may be different to previous elections
- Information about the candidates in each ward will be published on our website by Wednesday 5 April. You’ll be able to find the information here: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/voting-elections
