Few days left to apply for free voting certificate for those lacking photo ID who wish to vote in May’s elections

The free certificate is available to those who don’t have photo ID – which is now a legal requirement for anyone wishing to vote in person at a polling station at any future election.

These new rules, which apply across the country, mean that anyone wishing to vote in person at any election must now show photographic ID or a Voter Authority Certificate.

The deadline to apply for a certificate is 5pm on Wednesday, 24 April. 

To apply for one please visit the Gov.uk website.

The council’s website also has more information about voter identification and the types of ID that are permitted. 

There are a series of elections being held on Thursday, 2 May at which these rules will apply. 

Eligible voters who are registered to vote can vote for:

•    The Mayor of London, now elected on a first past the post system
•    The Merton and Wandsworth Constituency Assembly Member 
•    The London-wide Assembly Member

Residents living in West Putney ward will also be able to choose a new councillor to represent them in a Wandsworth Council by-election.

To be eligible to vote in any of these elections you must: 

•    Be registered to vote 
•    Be at least 18-years-old on the day of the elections 
•    Be a British citizen, a European Union citizen or a Commonwealth citizen who has or does not require leave to remain in the UK

Ahead of polling day, registered voters will receive an official poll card containing details of their designated local polling station. If they wish to cast their vote they must do so at this specific polling station and not at any other. And while there is no need to take the poll card with them to the polling station, it will be helpful to staff if they do.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on election day – Thursday, 2 May and voters are asked to attend in plenty of time and avoid a last-minute rush.

For more information about Voter ID rules, and other ways to vote, including by proxy, please visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/vote