Calderdale residents are being reminded about the upcoming deadline for those choosing to vote by proxy in the General Election.
The General Election is being held on Thursday 4 July 2024. Anyone who is not able to attend a polling station on the date of the election and has not already registered for a postal vote, is encouraged to register for a proxy vote.
A proxy vote is where someone is designated to vote on your behalf. The person voting for you must also be registered to vote.
New applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at the council by 5pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024.
Since the General Election was called, over 4000 people in Calderdale have registered to vote, with over 1600 registering in the week before the deadline.
The Council’s brilliant elections team has been working hard to support and encourage people to register. Members of the team have been visiting locations including local libraries to help with registration, voter ID, postal voting and proxy voting queries.
People planning to vote at a polling station must make sure they take a valid form of ID with them. Accepted forms of photo ID include a passport, driving licence, Blue Badge, bus pass and many others. Visit the Council’s voter identification web page for the full list.
If you are planning to vote in person and do not have one of these types of ID, you will need to request a free voter ID document called a Voter Authority Certificate. To apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, visit Apply for photo ID to vote(external link) (GOV.UK).
You can also complete a paper application and send this to the Council’s Electoral Services at Mulcture House, Mulcture Hall Road, Halifax, HX1 1SP.
To get an application form, or for help to apply, please visit Halifax Customer First at 19 Horton Street, Halifax, HX1 1QE.
The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June 2024.
Calderdale Council’s Chief Executive and Returning Officer, Robin Tuddenham, said:
“It’s great that so many people have registered to vote. Thank you to our elections team for supporting people to register and ensuring their voice can be heard at this election.
“With the General Election falling in the summer, it’s important that people who may be away from home on polling day are aware of the process and upcoming deadline for registering for a proxy vote.
“For those planning to vote at a polling station, remember to take an accepted form of photo ID or you won’t be able to vote.”
For more information about the elections process or previous election results, visit https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/council/elections-and-voting
ENDS