ONLY 90 people in North Somerset have registered for voter ID — with the deadline a month away. 

The document is essential in order to vote in the upcoming local elections if you do not have a valid form of photo ID, but only 90 people in North Somerset have signed up for the “Voter Authority Certificate” so far.

The election, which will see people voting for their representatives on North Somerset Council as well as on 39 town and parish councils, takes place on May 4 but the deadline to get a voter ID is 5pm on April 25, shortly after the deadline to register to vote on April 17.

Under new government legislation, everyone will now need to show a valid form photo ID at the polling station or they will not be allowed to vote. Anyone without an accepted form of ID can sign up for a temporary ID called a Voter Authority Certificate to let them vote.

But so far, out of more than 166,000 voters in North Somerset, only 90 people have signed up for the Voter Authority Certificate.

Samantha Usher, electoral services manager at North Somerset Council told a council scrutiny panel on March 2: “It might be that its low but it might be that people have already got that valid form of ID.”

Returning officer Nicholas Brain said that a rush closer to the deadline was anticipated, adding: “We have staffed for that accordingly.”

The council are working to boost awareness of the new requirement for photo ID, and plan to send leaflets out with the next council tax bill. Targeted work is also being carried out to make sure that communities most likely to be without valid forms of ID are aware of the change.

Councillor James Clayton, who is a trustee at Weston-super-Mare homeless charity Somewhere to Go, raised concerns that people in homelessness may have troubled registering for the Voter Authority Certificate.

People experiencing homelessness are able to register to vote at an address, such as Somewhere to Go, where they spend time, but many may be without access to documents to prove their identity.

He said: “This is an area where there is a community in the country that are going to lose their right to vote.”

Ms Usher said that it would be possible for someone to attest to their identity if they did not have their National Insurance number.

At the national level, there have only been 25,000 applications for the Voter Authority Certificate so far. Mr Brain said: “I would suggest is also a very marginal percentage.”

Forms of ID that will be accepted at polling stations are:

  • a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
  • a driving licence issued by the EU, 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 PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
  • a Blue Badge
  • a biometric residence permit (BRP)
  • a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
  • a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
  • a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
  • an older person’s bus pass
  • a disabled person’s bus pass
  • an Oyster 60+ card
  • a Freedom Pass
  • a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
  • a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass
  • a Voter Authority Certificate
  • an Anonymous Elector’s Document

If you have one of these but it is expired, it may still be accepted if the photo still looks like you and your name you registered to vote with is the same as on the card.

People voting by post will not need photo ID.

You can register online for a Voter Authority Certificate here: www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

You can download a form to apply for a postal vote here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote 

If you are not on the electoral roll or have moved house, you can register to vote here: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote 

The election on May 4 will see all 50 seats on North Somerset Council up for grabs, as well as elections in the 39 town and parish councils within the district.