WORCESTER voter Robin Roething has thanked council officers for their speed and efficiency, after he was able to obtain a Voter Authority Certificate at the Guildhall.
New legislation brought in by the Government means for the first time, voters will need to show photographic identification (ID) to vote at the City Council elections on May 4.
Amid concerns that this will make it harder for some people without photo ID to cast their vote, Robin was keen to express how quick and simple the process of obtaining his voter ID was.
“I don’t have a passport or a driving licence, but I went along to the Guildhall with my birth certificate and the team there took my photo and sorted out all the paperwork,” he said.
“I was only there for 10 to 15 minutes, and the staff were very helpful. The Guildhall has access for disabled visitors too, so everyone is taken care of.
“My Voter Authority Certificate arrived within a couple of days, and it will last for 10 years. It feels good to know that I’ll definitely be able to vote after these new changes.
“If I can get this sorted, anyone can, and it’s important that they do.
“Everyone should get the chance to vote on how things are run, so anyone who hasn’t already got their photo ID should get down to the Guildhall to get themselves sorted out.”
A wide range of photo identification will be accepted including a passport, a driver’s licence, an immigration document and some travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass.
Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID, either online or by completing a paper form.
The new legislation has been welcomed by the city’s outgoing MP Robin Walker, who said: “The Electoral Commission has concluded from its pilots this is something which can be effectively rolled out and I think it can only be a good thing if it is.”
Anyone needing help can contact Worcester City Council’s electoral services team on 01905 722530 or e-mail [email protected].
