Residents rush to register to vote by deadline
News release issued:
More than 3,000 (3,112) new applications to vote were received by Wyre Forest District Council after it was announced that a General Election would take place in July.
It takes the total number of people registered to vote in the district at the General Election to 77,394.
The council also processed 1,852 new postal vote applications. It will take the total number of postal votes issued to 14,682. That is almost a fifth of voters opting for a postal vote (18.97%). So far 37% of postal votes have been returned.
It is now too late to register to vote, applications closed on Tuesday 18 June. Applications have also closed for postal votes.
The polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 4 July. Anyone voting in person should check their poll card to find out where their polling station is. They will also need to take photo ID. A full list of approved forms of ID is available. Anyone who does not have one of the approved forms of photo ID needs to act now to apply for a free voter authority certificate. The deadline for applying is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June. This is also the deadline for applications for proxy votes.
Ian Miller, Acting Returning Officer for Wyre Forest said:
“Photo ID has been required since the local elections in May 2023, but this is the first time at a general election. Voters will need to show photo ID to receive their ballot paper in a polling station. There are lots of forms of photo ID which are accepted. We would urge people to check the list and if they don’t have an accepted form to apply for a free voter authority certificate, the deadline is approaching fast.”
After the polls close, the count is taking place at Wyre Forest Leisure Centre. The result will be published on the Council’s website.
It will also be posted on the Council’s social media channels.