Voters at this month’s Sowerby and Topcliffe by-election are being reminded that photo identification must be taken to their polling station to ensure they can take part in the ballot.
Voting takes place on Thursday November 30.
Anyone who does not have an accepted form of ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, with applications accepted until 5pm on Wednesday, November 22.
The following types of photo identification are acceptable:
- a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence, full or provisional
- a driving licence issued by the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
- a UK passport
- a passport issued by the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
- a national proof of age standards scheme card
- a blue badge
- a biometric residence permit
- a defence identity card – Ministry of Defence form 90
- a national identity card issued by the European Union, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
- a Northern Ireland electoral identity card
- a voter authority certificate
- an anonymous elector’s document
One of the following travel passes can also be used:
- an older person’s bus pass
- a disabled person’s bus pass
- an Oyster 60-plus card
- a Freedom Pass
- a Scottish national entitlement card
- a 60-and-over Welsh concessionary travel card
- a disabled person’s Welsh concessionary travel card
- a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass
The photo on the identification must look like the voter, and identification can still be used even if it has expired.
Eligible voters can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online, or by completing a paper form and sending to The Electoral Registration Officer, North Yorkshire Council, Civic Centre, Stone Cross, Rotary Way, Northallerton, DL6 2UU.
Voters will need to provide a photo, their full name, date of birth, the address at which they are registered to vote and their National Insurance number.
Applicants must be registered to vote before applying – anyone needing to register must do so by Tuesday, November 14. Postal vote applications will be accepted until 5pm on Wednesday, November 15, and proxy vote applications until 5pm on Wednesday, November 22.
You can view more information on the election, including a full list of the candidates on our by-election page.