Residents wishing to vote in the upcoming Lowick Neighbourhood Planning Referendum being held on Thursday 28 September 2023 will need to show appropriate photographic ID if voting in person at the polling station.  
 

Accepted forms of ID include: a photocard driving licence (full or provisional), a passport, concessionary travel pass, such as an older person’s bus pass, or a blue badge.   

Voters will be able to use expired photo ID, as long as it remains a good enough likeness for the polling station staff to be able to identify the voter.  The photo ID should be the original version and not a copy.   

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate either online or by completing a paper application. 

These new requirements will not affect electors who vote by post. 

The Planning Referendum is being held to get residents views on whether they wish to support the Lowick Neighbourhood Plan which addresses issues local people have identified as important in their area.   
 

All residents in Lowick Parish who are registered to vote will be able to have a say. If the majority of residents vote in favour of bringing the Plan into force, the County Council will adopt the Plan to ensure that it is used to help determine planning applications in the Parish. 

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission's website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID.  

Mark Crawford, Elections Manager at Northumberland County Council said: 

"New regulations that have been brought into force mean that anyone voting at a polling station in England from now on will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper.  

“It is important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it.  

“Please don’t leave it until the last minute. If you need free photo ID apply now.  We really don’t want to turn anyone away on polling day, but we do have a legal duty to adhere to the new regulations.” 
 

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for free voter ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID. 

 

 

 If you have a query regarding Voter ID, or need help applying for a Voter Authority Certificate you can also contact the County Council’s election team on 01670 624844 or by emailing voter-id@northumberland.gov.uk