A local group have urged Rutland residents to not lose their right to vote in the upcoming local elections on 4 May 2023.

On Saturday 18 March, the Campaign for Real Democracy - a group comprising of representatives of the Green, Liberal Democrat and Labour parties in Rutland - were out in Oakham's Market Square reminding residents that they now require Government approved photo ID to vote in all future elections, starting with the local election on 4 May.

The group has been established, on a cross-party basis, to ensure that people in Rutland are aware of their need to have Government approved photo ID for the up-coming local elections and how such ID can be either satisfied or obtained. The group has no wider purpose. There is sister group just over the border in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

Commenting on the public reaction, Steve McRobb, who intends upon putting himself forward for election, reported that many people were aware of the new requirement, but some mistakenly thought that the requirement only applied to Parliamentary Elections.

Some students believed that their Student Card was sufficient evidence, but this is not the case. Still others were aware of the requirement, but unsure where they could get the necessary ID Certificate in Rutland, this despite the best efforts of Rutland County Council to publicise the requirement.

A list of all approved Photo ID is available at the Electoral Commission website and below.

• Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
• Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
• A Blue Badge
• Older Person's Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
• Disabled Person's Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
• Oyster 60+ Card funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
• Freedom Pass
• Scottish National Entitlement Card
• 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Disabled Person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person's SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
• Biometric immigration document
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• National identity card issued by an EEA state
• Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
• Voter Authority Certificate
• Anonymous Elector's Document

Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance, said: "Anyone voting at a polling station in England this May will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. It's important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it. You can find information about the new requirement and what to expect at the polling station on the Electoral Commission's website."

Voter ID Certificates can be obtained online from Rutland County Council by searching Register to Vote on the Rutland County Council website and following the link. If people do not have access to a computer Rutland County Council also offer a face-to-face service at the Catmose offices.

In addition to the requirement for Photo ID the group also highlighted two key dates that electors should be aware of:

• 17 April is the last date you can Register to Vote
• 18 April is the last day to Register for a Postal

Steve closed by saying that the advice had been well very received by people, including those familiar with this new requirement.

Please remember to vote on 4 May.