Make sure you’re ready to vote in May elections
Published: 30 March 2023
There’s still time to register to vote at next month’s elections.
Exeter goes to the polls on 4 May in all 13 wards across the city. However, people need to be on the electoral register to be able to vote.
But it’s not too late to register, people have until 17 April to do so. Simply go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
This is the first year that people will have to show photographic ID to be able to vote at polling stations.
The new requirement was introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act, which was passed at the end of last year.
People in Exeter who want to vote at a polling station on the day of the elections are being urged to make sure they have an accepted form of ID. Alternatively they can apply for a postal vote.
Some of the accepted forms of photo ID include a driving licence, passport, 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 can apply now for free ID online at www.exeter.gov.uk/voterid or by completing a paper application form and sending it to Exeter’s electoral services team.
Those needing help with applying for the free ID or wanting to request an application form can contact the electoral services team before 25 April on 01392 265141 or email at electoral.services@exeter.gov.uk
Residents will need to keep an eye out for their poll cards, which will contain information about new voter ID, and will be delivered for the first time in a specially marked envelope.
For a full list of accepted ID, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, go to www.exeter.gov.uk/voterid
People don’t need to go to the polling stations to vote – they can apply to vote by post. However, completed postal vote applications need to be received by the City Council by 5pm on 18 April.
To apply for a postal vote go to www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-post