People intending to go to the polls on Thursday 4 May should check now that they have valid photo ID, otherwise they could lose their chance to vote. 

The local elections will be the first time that voters in the UK will be required to show photo ID when voting at a polling station.  This is a new requirement, introduced by the UK Government. 

A range of photo ID will be accepted, including passports, driving licences, disabled parking blue badges and cards with a PASS Mark.  Expired ID is acceptable, as long as the photograph is still a true likeness of you.  To view the full list of accepted ID, visit The Electoral Commission website – electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID 

If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID, you should APPLY NOW for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate 

If you need to apply for voter ID, you must do so by 5pm on 25 April, in order to vote in this election – to find out how, visit The Electoral Commission website. 

Mark Stone, Electoral Registration Officer at South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, said: “Please check now that you have the accepted photo ID.  If you don’t, please make sure you apply for the free voter ID before it’s too late. 

“We don’t want anyone to lose the opportunity to vote on 4 May.   These elections will play a key role in influencing how important local issues are decided over the next four years.  Many of these decisions could affect or benefit our residents for years to come, so it’s vital that people are able to influence this process.” 

Other key things that people need to know in the run up to the elections are: 

• If you can’t make it to the polling station on 4 May – you still have time to apply for a proxy vote, the deadline is 5pm on 25 April.  To find out how to apply, visit southoxon.gov.uk/localelections2023 
• You can now find out who you can vote for and where you need to go to cast your ballot on election day – visit southoxon.gov.uk/localelections2023 
• For more information about the 2023 local elections – visit southoxon.gov.uk/localelections2023 

Key dates for this election 

• 20 March – candidates nomination period opens 
• 5 April – details of who you can vote for published (by 4pm) 
• 17 April – deadline to register to vote in this election (midnight) 
• 18 April – deadline to apply to vote by post (5pm) 
• 25 April – deadline to apply to vote by proxy (5pm) 
• 25 April – deadline to apply for voter ID (5pm) 
• 4 May – voting day (7am to 10pm) 
• 5 May – election results day