Residents in Featherstone reminded to register to vote

Wakefield Council is reminding residents in Featherstone to make sure they are registered to vote ahead of the by-election on Thursday 12 December.

One seat is up for election in Featherstone and residents have until midnight on 26 November to make sure they are registered, in order to vote.

If people are going to be on holiday, working away from home or find it difficult to get to a polling station they can apply for a postal or proxy vote. But they must first ensure they are registered to vote, before making an application.

The deadline to apply for a new postal vote or a new postal proxy vote, or to make changes to existing postal or proxy postal votes is 5pm on Wednesday 27 November. Apply now at https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

The deadline for new proxy vote applications (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) is 5pm on Wednesday 4 December. Apply now at https://www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote

Residents are also reminded that they will need to show photo ID before voting at their polling station.

It is quick and simple to register to vote by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. People will need their date of birth and National Insurance number to hand. They can also opt to have their details excluded from the ‘open register’, meaning that the information cannot be used for direct marketing.

It is important that everyone eligible is registered to vote because banks, building societies and loan companies, use the register to verify the address of applicants before approving loans and bank accounts.

Anyone who has moved house recently, or changed other details such as their name, may not be registered correctly so should contact Electoral Services to check by calling 01924 305023 or by emailing elections@wakefield.gov.uk.

Those aged 16 and 17 can also register to vote so that they will be eligible to vote in the next election after their 18th birthday.

The Featherstone by-election has been called following the death of long-standing Councillor Graham Isherwood.

For more information, please visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/elections

Voter Authority Certificate

Anyone who does not have one of the required forms of photo ID will be able to get a free Voter Authority Certificate from the Council. To apply, visit www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for the May elections is at 5pm on Wednesday 4 December.

If someone loses all their forms of identification before the deadline for applications for a Voter Authority Certificate has passed, or if their identification is stolen, destroyed or damaged beyond use, they may apply for a Voter Authority Certificate at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

If they lose their identification after the deadline for applications for a Voter Authority Certificate, they will have the ability to apply for an emergency proxy for that polling day. To do so, please visit www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote