Voters in Hucknall and across Ashfield reminded of new photo ID rule for May elections

People in Ashfield wanting to take part in May's local elections have been reminded about new identification laws.

Anyone going to vote in the May 4 poll must bring a valid form of photographic ID.

The new rules will apply to every local council poll in Nottinghamshire and nationally.

Some Ashfield District Councillors say they are worried a large number of local people will be denied a vote because they are not aware of the change or do not have a regular form of ID.

Suitable ID under the change includes passports, driving licences, local travel cards like bus passes, a 'Proof of Age Standards Scheme' (PASS) card or other Government-issued documents.

Anyone without identification will not be allowed to vote.

The change is part of the Government's Election Act, which Whitehall hopes will reduce the potential for voter fraud.

Ashfield District Council says it plans to make sure residents can easily find other schemes on offer if residents don't currently own a valid form of ID.

A free voter authority certificate (VAC) can be obtained on the Government's website, in person at a council or by posting a printed form to their local authority.

Voters will need to provide their name, address, date of birth, national insurance number and a photograph, provided they are already registered to vote.

These will then act as a valid form of identification without an expiry date.

Voters have until April 25 to apply for this certificate in order to use it in May's election.

However, if this deadline is missed, voters can apply directly to their council for a temporary voter authority certificate.

This requires the same information as the permanent certificate alongside the name of the local authority and the date of the election.

This is only valid for one specific election date and also requires the signature of a council electoral registration officer.

Speaking in Ashfield District Council's full council meeting on Thursday (March 2), Cllr Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind), the authority's leader, said the council will direct residents to these forms.

He said: "We are able to signpost members of the public to get a free voter authority certificate but they must be registered to vote before applying for the certificate.

"They can do it online or by filling out a paper application and bringing it to the council.

"The deadline is 5pm on Tuesday, April 25 and, after that, they can still apply for the temporary one for the May 4 election but that will only be valid on the date of the specific election."

Cllr David Hennigan (Ind), who represents Central Sutton and New Cross, criticised the new ID policy but urged residents to ensure they are able to vote.

He said: "This will disenfranchise huge swathes of voters and I would ask the council, councillors and activists to take that message out.

"We need to send a clear message as a council: don't lose your vote."

All seven district and borough councils as well as Nottingham City Council will go to the polls in May to decide their new administrations for the next four years.

Further information on the new voter ID scheme can be found on the Government's website, on council websites or via the Electoral Commission.

Only one form of photo ID is needed to vote, but it must be the original rather than a copy.

It can be out of date provided any photo still resembles the person and the name but be the same as it appears on the electoral register.