The UK government has introduced significant changes to voting and registering including:
- The requirement to show photographic identification at polling stations
- Changes to postal and proxy voting applications
- Changes to postal vote handling rules
- Changes to overseas voting
- Improving the accessibility of elections
- EU Citizens voting and candidacy rights (after May 2024)
Voter identification
The UK government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo identification (ID) when voting at a polling station at most elections.
This new requirement will apply for all forthcoming elections.
Find out more about voter ID requirements and how to apply for free voter ID.
Postal and proxy voting applications
You must supply a national insurance number when applying to vote by post or proxy. The easiest and quickest way to apply for a postal or proxy vote is online.
If you would prefer to fill out a paper form, please contact the Elections Team at elections@north-herts.gov.uk.
Postal votes will be valid for a maximum of three years and proxy applications are valid for only at a particular elections unless you meet the criteria for an extended proxy vote.
An Individual can act as a proxy for up to four people. Two must reside in the UK.
Postal vote handling rules
Individuals will be required to complete a Postal Vote Return Form if hand delivering a postal vote to the Council Offices or to a polling station. This is not required if the postal ballot pack is being returned by post.
If hand delivering a Postal Ballot Pack the following restrictions apply:
- You must complete a Postal Vote Return (PVR) Form with a member of staff.
- You may hand in your own postal vote and up to 5 postal vote packs from other electors per poll.
- If you hand in more postal votes than the permitted amount, all votes except your own will be rejected.
- If you are a political campaigner, you are only permitted to hand in your postal vote and/or a postal vote of a close relative or someone who you provide regular care for.
- If a political campaigner hands in, or is suspected of handing in, postal votes for individual that is not a close relative or someone whom they provide care for, then those postal votes will be rejected.
It is an offence for a political campaigner to handle postal votes of individuals – excluding their own postal vote or the postal vote of a close relative or someone whom they provide regular care for.
Overseas electors
From January 2024, the Elections Act 2022 abolished the 15 year limit for registering as an overseas elector. This allows any British Citizen living overseas that previously resided in the UK to register to vote.
In order to register, you must include the following:
- The last registration in the UK (either as an ordinary elector or as an overseas elector)
- If never registered whilst living in the UK, the UK address last resided.
If you were never registered, you may be required to provide proof of your residence at the UK address.
The Elections Act 2022 has removed the annual renewal system for overseas electors. Instead of renewing on a yearly basis from the application date, overseas electors will renew on the third 1st November since their registration date.
For example, overseas electors who register in January 2024 will be required to renew their applications by 1 November 2026.
British citizens living overseas that wish to register are encouraged to do so as early as possible – do not wait until a General Election is called.
Improving the accessibility of elections
Voters with disabilities will be given extra support at polling stations and can be accompanied by anyone over the age of 18 to act as a companion.
These changes will be enforced in any forthcoming and future elections.
EU Citizens voting and candidacy rights (after May 2024)
EU citizens will no longer automatically be entitled to register, vote, or stand for election.
These changes will apply to:
- all local elections and referendums in England
- elections for council and combined authority mayors
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections
Two groups of EU citizens will keep these rights: 'qualifying EU citizens' and 'EU citizens with retained rights'.
Qualifying EU citizens
These are EU citizens who:
- come from countries which have reciprocal agreements with the UK
and - who have 'leave to remain' in the UK, or who do not need 'leave to remain' in the UK
Currently this means citizens from Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, and Spain.
EU Citizens with retained rights are those who were living in the UK before 1 January 2021.