Tameside residents are being reminded of two deadlines looming for people who intend to vote in the local election on Thursday 4 May. 

For those eligible to vote, the deadline for registering in time is 11.59pm on 17 April. This can be done by visiting the GOV.UK website. 

The Government has introduced new rules which mean all voters must now show an accepted photographic identification before they can cast their vote. Anyone who doesn’t already have an accepted form of photo ID (such as a passport or driving licence) can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate –  the deadline for applying is 5pm on 25 April 2023. 

People can apply online at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk, or by submitting a paper form to the Elections Office at Dukinfield Town Hall, King Street, Dukinfield, SK16 4LA. Paper forms can be obtained online at www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-voter-authority-certificate-by-post-if-youre-living-in-the-uk.

The law specifies the types of documents that are accepted forms of ID, as decided by the UK Government. Many people may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable - they can use any of the following:

• A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state, or a Commonwealth country
• A driving licence (including provisional) issued by the UK, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state
• Blue badge
• Certain concessionary travel cards, such as an Older Person’s Bus Pass or an Oyster 60+ card
• Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• Biometric Immigration document
• Defence identity card
• Certain national identity cards

Voters will only need to show one form of ID, but it must be original as copies cannot be accepted. People will be able to use expired photo ID if they are still recognisable from the photo

For further information, and to find out about voting by post or by proxy instead, visit www.tameside.gov.uk/elections/voterid

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