Residents are being reminded that they will need to show photographic identification to vote in elections in Stafford Borough next month.

And there is still time for people to apply for a free ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ if they do not have an accepted form of ID and want to vote.

The new Government rules mean residents wanting to vote at polling stations in the borough council elections on Thursday 4 May will need to bring ID with them - such as a UK passport, Driving Licence, or disabled blue badge. A full list of acceptable identification can be found at Voter ID | Electoral Commission 

But people who do not have the identification have until 5pm Tuesday 25 April to apply for a free ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. 

The council say they have already received around 300 requests for the new ‘Voter Authority Certificate.’

Forty seats on Stafford Borough Council will be up for grabs in the 23 wards that make up the electoral area. And there will also be a number of polls taking place for seats on Parish Councils in the borough.

There are more than 100,000 registered voters in the borough who will have the opportunity to vote on who they would like to see running the local authority.

The borough council delivers a range of functions for the public such as the household waste and recycling collection, street cleaning, maintaining parks and open spaces, as well as bereavement and planning services.

To find out if you are on the electoral register to be eligible to vote contact elections@staffordbc.gov.uk - or to register to vote go to www.staffordbc.gov.uk/how-do-you-register-to-vote. 

Press Release No 6019