MP Column April 11: Alex Burghart MP, Brentwood and Ongar

BRENTWOOD AND ONGAR MP: Alex Burghart

Written by Alex Burghart MP, Brentwood and Ongar

Elections for local councillors on Epping Forest District Council and Brentwood Borough Council are due to take place on May 4 and there is an important change this year about what you need to do to be able to vote.

All those who vote at a polling station will be required to bring a form of photographic identification with them.

The full list of what ID can be used can be found at www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need - but it includes passport, driving licence, Blue Badge, and bus pass and disabled person’s bus pass.

ID that is out of date can still be used, but the photo must still look like you and have the same name on it that you used to register to vote.

Anyone who does not possess one of these forms of photographic identification can apply for free for a Voter Authority Certificate online at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.

There is also the option to apply by post. You can contact your local council for help applying.

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If you need to apply by post but cannot print off the paper application yourself, you can ask your local council to send you a copy of the application form.

The Brentwood Gazette covers areas including but not limited to Billericay, Brentwood, Hutton, Shenfield and Wickford in Essex.

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