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All the information you need to vote in the May 2023 local elections.

Voter Identification

 May 2023 will be the first time that voter identification will be required to be shown by all voters at a polling station. This has been introduced under the Elections Act 2022.

Find out what is an acceptable voter ID and how to request a Voter Authority Certificate if you have no suitable form of photographic identity.

Poll cards

 Poll cards will be issued to all registered electors as soon as possible after the Notices of Election have been published at the end of March.

If you have not received a card by 7 April it may mean you are not registered. If you have moved in early 2023 you need to have ensured you have re-registered at your new address. Please contact SDC electoral services if you have not received a poll card.

Poll cards are changing!

From May 2023, in order to list the suitable form of photo ID acceptable at a polling station, poll cards will be A4 size and delivered in an envelope.

Acceptable voter ID will include a passport, driving licence and a national concessionary bus pass. Certain other ID will also be acceptable and will be listed on the back of the card. The ID does not have to be valid provided that the photograph is still a suitable likeness. If you do not have any of the ID listed, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate that will be posted direct to your registered address.

The poll card will list the electoral areas – borough wards and parish wards council. At the polling station and with postal votes, electors will be presented with two ballot papers – different colours.  It will say how many votes you have on each ballot paper.

Postal votes

Postal votes will be issued as soon as possible after the close of nominations. These are sent by first class post. However, if you applied near the deadline these will be posted before polling week.

Proxy voting

 If you have appointed a proxy to vote on your behalf at your allocated polling station, both you and your proxy will be sent a card.

Polling stations

 Your poll card will tell you which polling station you need to go to.

At the polling station and with postal votes, electors will be presented with one or two ballot papers – different colours.  It will say how many votes you have on each ballot paper.

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