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June 17, 2024Ahead of the UK Parliament general election on 4 July 2024, residents in Renfrewshire are being urged to ensure they have an accepted form of photo identification (ID) when they go to vote.
Following the introduction of new legislation by the UK Government, anyone voting in-person at a polling station for a Member of Parliament will need to show photographic ID – the first time this has been required in Renfrewshire.
Accepted forms of ID include a passport, driving licence, older persons or disabled persons bus pass and Young Scot card, with the full list of accepted ID available on the Electoral Commission’s website at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.
Voters must use their original ID, not a digital or duplicate copy, but expired ID can be used if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for a free ID online at www.voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk or by completing a paper form which can be collected from Renfrewshire’s Electoral Registration Office. The deadline to apply for a voter authority certificate is 5pm on Wednesday 26th June.
Alan Russell, Returning Officer for Renfrewshire Council, said: “It is extremely important that everyone who wishes to vote makes sure that they have an accepted form of ID in advance of the election.
“If you do not have one of the accepted forms of ID then please apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to the Renfrewshire Electoral Registration Office.
“We want everyone in Renfrewshire to use their right to vote so please ensure you are registered to vote on 4 July, have applied in time for a proxy or postal, or have valid ID to allow you to vote at your polling station should you wish to.”
Voting will take place on 4 July 2024 between 7am and 10pm, with two constituencies being contested in Renfrewshire, Paisley and Renfrewshire North and Paisley and Renfrewshire South, and the count will take place at the Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley after polls close.
Anyone who has never voted before, has moved house, or changed their name recently, needs to register to vote by 18 June 2024.
Voters wishing to register for a proxy vote, where someone they trust votes on their behalf, must submit their application by 5pm on 26 June 2024.
If your proxy can’t get to the polling station, they can apply to vote on your behalf by post using a postal proxy vote. Requests for postal proxy votes and new applications or changes to postal votes must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 19 June 2024.
For more information on the election in Renfrewshire, search for ‘UK General Election’ on the Renfrewshire Council website or for support applying for free ID, contact the electoral registration office on 0300 300 0150 or email ero@renfrewshire-vjb.gov.uk.
