On Thursday 4th May 2023 voters will head to polling stations as local elections take place in Southend-on-Sea. It is important that residents are aware of new changes to the law regarding how people vote at a polling station.

The Government has recently changed the law. It is now a legal requirement that photo identification must be shown when voting in person. This will apply for the local elections taking place on Thursday 4th May and means that you will have to show an accepted form of photo ID before being given your ballot paper to vote.

Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote in person by remembering to take their approved form of ID with them on 4th May. Photo ID is not required for postal voting.

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired photo ID if there is still a good likeness to the photo.

Southend-on-Sea City Council has created a short video to show voters what to expect when they visit their polling stations on Thursday 4th May 2023. https://youtu.be/AKy8gLa631M

Residents can use the Find My Polling Station online tool to find their polling station before or on the day of the election. https://wheredoivote.co.uk/

The full list of accepted ID is available on our website, along with more information about the new law.  https://www.southend.gov.uk/VoterID