NEWS Top Stories
n By Keith Hatch
Don’t lose your electoral voice!
Unite is encouraging everyone to protect their right to vote in the build up to May’s local elections.
Following changes to the electoral system everyone needs to bring ID to the polling booth, or risk being turned away.
During last May’s local elections in England thousands of people lost their vote because they didn’t have an accepted form of ID - so make sure this doesn’t happen to you this year.
Unite political officer Mary Williams said, “The way we vote has changed. In 2022, a law was introduced which means when we vote at a polling station, we now need to show an accepted form of ID.”
“Last year the local government elections in England was the first time this change was in place. We now know that at least 14,000 were turned away from polling stations because they didn’t have or didn’t know about ID. Denied their right to vote, they couldn’t use their voice.”
Unite is highlighting three actions that all members can take to make sure they don’t lose their vote at elections across England and Wales for local councils, mayors and police and crime commissioners on May 2.
First, ensure you are registered to vote. If you’re not yet registered you have until April 16 to be included on the Electoral Register in time for this May’s elections.
Plus you can also apply for a postal vote making things easier if, for example, work or childcare commitments make a visit to the polling station difficult. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is April 17.
Most importantly, before you go to the polling station make sure you have an acceptable form of ID with you. Unite has a full list on its “You now need ID to vote” page.
Unite is also urging people to make sure they’re registered and ready to vote ahead of the general election, which will be held in the autumn this
8 uniteLANDWORKER Spring 2024
year. “Go to
www.unitetheunion.org/ myvote and you’ll find everything you’ll
need for you, your friends and family,” adds Mary.
There are Campaign Packs available full of resources, including posters and leaflets, to help reps to ensure everyone is aware of the changes - and know how to be prepared. Mary summed up, “Remember, register to vote, apply for a postal vote, and sort out your ID. Don’t lose your voice!”
DON’T LOSE YOUR VOICE
All you need to know about registering your right to vote see
www.gov.uk/register-to- vote
For a postal vote see
www.gov.uk/apply-postal- vote
For ID to vote info see
https://tinyurl.com/4kxuebts
For more including
acceptable forms of ID see
https://tinyurl.com/yudbn7mt
https://unitelive.org
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