A person holds a blurred ID card in front of a sign about upcoming district and parish council elections on 4 May 2023, with a fire extinguisher visible on the left.
Residents in the New Forest are being urged to remember their ID when they go to vote on 4 May.
Voters will need to show photo ID at polling stations before they can receive their ballot paper.
This is a new requirement introduced by the UK Government that comes into effect for the first time at elections in May.
Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK or EEA drivers’ licence; some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card; and the new free Voter Authority Certificate.
Voters can use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Kate Ryan, Returning Officer at New Forest District Council, said, “With only a few days until the local elections on 4 May, check you’ve got an accepted form of ID and of course, remember to bring it with you to the polling station on election day.”
More information about the local elections, and a full list of accepted ID is on the council’s website https://newforest.gov.uk/2023localelections
The count for the New Forest District and Parish elections will take place on Friday 5 May, with results being published on their website https://www.newforest.gov.uk/2023electionresults
