In a significant shift, eligible voters in Wales will be required to present an accepted form of photo identification when voting in certain elections, marking a historic change in the voting process. This requirement will be in effect for the upcoming Police and Crime Commissioner Election scheduled for May 2, 2024.
Important Dates
- Deadline to register vote: April 16, 2024
- Deadline for postal vote: April 17, 2024
- Deadline for proxy vote: April 24, 2024
- Deadline to apply for Voter ID: April 24, 2024
- Election Date: May 2, 2024
The complete list of approved forms of identification can be found on the official website: www.ceredigion.gov.uk/your-council/voting-elections/voter-id/
Voters have the option to use expired photo IDs if their appearance is still recognisable from the photograph. In cases where individuals do not possess an acceptable form of identification, they can apply for a free ID, known as the Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline for obtaining a free voter ID is 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 24.
For those intending to participate in the Police and Crime Commissioner Election, the deadline to register to vote is midnight on Tuesday, April 16. Individuals who have recently changed residences are required to register at their new address. Those who prefer not to vote in person have the option to register for a postal vote until 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 17, and until 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 24, to vote by proxy.
Following a review of Polling Districts, Polling Places, and Polling Stations in late 2023, some changes have been implemented. The updated locations are as follows:
- Salvation Army will move to Canolfan Morlan, Aberystwyth
- Llanwnnen Church Hall will move to Ysgol Cwrtnewydd
- Betws Ifan Community Hall will move to Beulah Chapel Vestry
- Bryngwyn Chapel Vestry will move to Beulah Chapel Vestry
- Llandygwydd Church Hall will move to Beulah Chapel Vestry
- Llangybi Hall will move to Community Centre at Ysgol y Dderi, Llangybi
- Neuadd y Paith will move to Llanfarian Village Hall
- Llwyncelyn Chapel Vestry will move to Llwyncelyn Hall
- Canolfan y Dyffryn will move to Neuadd Aberporth
Eifion Evans, the Returning Officer for Ceredigion County Council, emphasised the importance of residents familiarising themselves with the changes brought about by the voter ID requirement. He urged residents without suitable ID to apply for the Voter Authority Certificate promptly. The implementation of this change will take effect during the upcoming Police and Crime Commissioner election in May.
