Council issues ID warning ahead of election

Shropshire Council is reminding people to make sure they have the correct ID, ahead of the upcoming general election

A council has warned voters that they need to bring correct identification to the upcoming general election, as it revealed 318 people were turned away from voting in the recent police and crime commissioner elections.

Of the 318 turned away, Shropshire Council figures show 196 people returned with ID and were able to vote.

This meant 122 people out of the 25,589 who attended a polling station were unable to vote.

Shropshire Council chief executive Andy Begley said: "We want everyone who visits a polling station on election day to be able to cast their vote."

Accepted forms of ID include a passport, driving license or bus pass, and anyone registered to vote can apply for a free voter authority certificate via the government website.

Mr Begley, who is also the county's returning officer, said: "We’re reminding people about the need for photo ID, and encouraging them to check if they have valid ID ahead of the general election – and to apply for a free voter authority certificate if not.

"It’s also important that people register to vote, if they aren’t already, and we encourage people to register sooner rather than later."

The police and crime commissioner elections were the first time most voters across the county needed to present ID after the Boris Johnson government introduced the requirement 2022.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.