What you need to remember if you are voting at the local elections in Sunderland on May 7
Voters are being reminded to bring an accepted form of photo ID to the polling station to vote in local elections.
Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm today across Sunderland and all 75 seats on Sunderland City Council are up for election, with three in each of the city’s 25 wards.
The Electoral Commission is urging people across England not to forget their photo ID before heading out to vote.
Some accepted forms of ID include a passport, driver’s licence, older person’s or disabled person’s bus pass and a Voter Authority Certificate, which is free to apply for through local councils.
Expired ID can be used, as long as the voter is still recognisable in the photo.
The full list of accepted forms of photographic identification are listed on the Electoral Commission’s website.
Only one form of photo ID needs to be shown and it needs to be the original version, not a photocopy.
- A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British Overseas Territory.
- A passport or passport card issued by an EEA state or a country whose citizens are Commonwealth citizens.
- A photocard driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence).
- A Blue Badge.
- Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government.
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government.
- 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London.
- Freedom Pass.
- A National Entitlement Card issued by a local authority in Scotland.
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card.
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card.
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland.
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland.
- War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland.
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland.
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland.
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card).
- Biometric Immigration Documents, including eVisas.
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card).
- Ministry of Defence Form 100 (HM Armed Forces Veteran Card).
- National identity card issued by an EEA state.
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland.
- Voter Authority Certificate.
- Anonymous Elector’s Document.
- Veterans’ card.
- e-visa.
To receive their ballot, voters will be required to present ID, which will be checked by polling station staff.
A private area will be available at the polling station for anyone who wants to have their photo ID viewed in private.
Anyone arriving at the polling station without an accepted form of ID will be unable to vote.
Niki Nixon, the Electoral Commission’s director of communications and external affairs, said: “If you’re planning on voting at the English local and mayoral elections, don’t forget to bring photo ID.
“You’ll need to show it to polling station staff before they give you your ballot paper. Don’t risk being turned away, check you have ID with you before heading to the polling station.
“If you don’t have ID, or your Voter Authority Certificate does not arrive in time, it is possible to appoint an emergency proxy to vote on your behalf.
“You will need to contact your council to arrange this before 5pm on election day, and the person you appoint will need their own acceptable photo ID.”
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. The full list of accepted ID, along with more information about the ID requirement, is available on the Electoral Commission’s website.
Your polling station is printed on your poll card or you can enter your postcode to find your designated polling station by visiting Sunderland City Council’s website.