Remember your voter photo ID on Thursday 2nd May

People are being urged to remember to vote this Thursday 2nd May – and bring along their photo ID when they vote in person.

Residents are also being reminded to check they comply with new rules around the submitting of postal ballots.

People voting in person at polling stations will need to show photo ID before they can receive their ballot paper for the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday. 

Acceptable 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; and the new free Voter Authority Certificate. Voters will be able to use expired acceptable ID if they are still recognisable from the photo. 

At polling stations, voters will be required to show an acceptable form of ID to be checked by polling station staff. A private area will be available at the polling station for anyone who wants their photo ID viewed in private. 

The full list of accepted ID, along with more information about the new requirement, is available here: 

Electoral Commission’s website

Rob Polkinghorne, Electoral Registration Officer for Cheshire East Council, said:

“These elections are your opportunity to have your say on who represents you and makes decisions about issues that directly affect day-to-day life in Cheshire East.

“With only a few days to go, please do take the time to ensure you’re ready for the elections on 2 May. Double check you’ve got an accepted form of photo ID and remember to bring it with you to the polling station on election day." 

If you need any help, you can contact the electoral services team on:

0300 123 5016

or visit: 

Electoral Commission website

There are some important new requirements around postal votes for elections. If a voter hand delivers their postal vote, rather than sending it via Royal Mail post, they will need to complete a Postal Vote Return Form. These forms will need to be completed with a person, who has permission from the Returning Officer to receive the vote, either at a polling station, or staff in a specified council reception.

The number of postal votes that a person can hand in, on behalf of others, has also changed.

Full information about the rule changes can be found here: 

Electoral Commission website.

The council is urging people to submit their postal votes via Royal Mail or, if necessary, in person, as early as possible.

If voters lose their ID, or their Voter Authority Certificate does not arrive in time for election day, they can appoint an emergency proxy to vote on their behalf up until 5pm on election day. The person appointed as proxy, voting on someone else’s behalf, must have their own acceptable photo ID. 

To appoint an emergency proxy, the relevant application form must be completed and returned to the Elections Office.

For further information call:

0300 123 5016