Voters at this month’s Hutton Rudby and Osmotherley by-election are being reminded that photo identification must be taken to their polling station to ensure they can take part in the ballot.
Anyone who does not have an accepted form of ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, and applications will be accepted until 5pm on Wednesday, 20 September.
Voting takes place on Thursday, 28 September, and the election is being held due to the resignation of a former councillor.
The following types of photo identification are acceptable:
- A UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence, full or provisional.
- A driving licence issued by the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands.
- A UK passport.
- A passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country.
- A national proof of age standards scheme card.
- A blue badge.
- A biometric residence permit.
- A defence identity card – Ministry of Defence form 90.
- A national identity card issued by the European Union, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
- A Northern Ireland electoral identity card.
- A voter authority certificate.
- An anonymous elector’s document.
One of the following travel passes can also be used:
- An older person’s bus pass.
- A disabled person’s bus pass.
- An Oyster 60-plus card.
- A Freedom Pass.
- A Scottish national entitlement card.
- A 60-and-over Welsh concessionary travel card.
- A disabled person’s Welsh concessionary travel card.
- A Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass.
The photo on the identification must look like the voter, and identification can still be used even if it has expired.
Eligible voters can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online or by completing a paper form and sending to The Electoral Registration Officer, North Yorkshire Council, Civic Centre, Stone Cross, Rotary Way, Northallerton, DL6 2UU.
Voters will need to provide a photo, their full name, date of birth, the address at which they are registered to vote and their National Insurance number.
Applicants must be registered to vote before applying. Anyone needing to register must do so by Tuesday, September 12. Postal vote applications will be accepted until 5pm on Wednesday, September 13, and proxy vote applications until 5pm on Wednesday, September 20.
View more information on the election and a full list of the candidates.