North Devon voters urged to register ahead of July 4 General Election

Residents in North Devon and Torridge are being reminded to make sure they are ready to vote ahead of the general election on July 4.

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Tuesday, June 18, and voters can quickly and easily register online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. 

The electoral commission has emphasised the importance of registering to vote ahead of time, as those who fail to do so will be unable to participate in the election.

Once registered, voters have a range of options for casting their vote on the day. 

They can vote in person at a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.

For those who plan to vote in person, voters will need to show a photo ID at the polling station.

Accepted forms of ID include passports, drivers' licences, and some concessionary travel passes. 

Expired ID can also be used if it is still recognisable from the photo.

However, if you don't have one of the accepted forms of ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate ID online or by completing a paper form and submitting it to your local authority. 

The deadline to apply for this ID is 5pm on June 26.

Acting Returning Officer at Torridge District Council, Steve Hearse, said: “Don’t lose your chance to have your say in the upcoming general election in July. Registering to vote is a simple process that takes no more than five minutes and if you don't think you can make it to your polling station on the day, you can now register for a postal or proxy vote online without having to complete a paper form. 

"If you’re in doubt about whether you need to register to vote, or have questions about how to apply for a postal or proxy vote, or free ID, you can contact your local elections team."

Acting Returning Officer at North Devon Council, Ken Miles, said: "It is important that those who want to vote at the general election have an accepted form of photo ID. We are urging voters to understand what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it. Checking now rather than later means you will be ready when it’s time to vote.

"Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to their council's electoral services team."

Voters in the North Devon Council area who do not have ID, wish to vote in person and apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, but are unable to do so, are able to attend Lynton House between 9am and 1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for this to be facilitated.

Voters in Torridge can apply Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm at Riverbank House, Chanters Road in Bideford.