Voters urged to prepare for upcoming by-election
Friday, 8 September 2023
Residents in Mid Bedfordshire are being urged to prepare ahead of the parliamentary by-election taking place on Thursday 19 October.
Anyone who wants to have their say in the by-election must be registered to vote by Tuesday 3 October. It’s not necessary to register separately for every election and residents only need to register again if their name, address or nationality has changed since voting in the last election. Voters’ names must appear on the register of electors and be aged 18 or over on polling day. If you are not sure if you are registered please call 0300 300 8008.
Poll cards will be delivered at addresses across the Mid Bedfordshire area from 18 September with postal votes being sent out from 25 September.
Anyone in Mid Bedfordshire who doesn't receive a named poll card posted to the address where they live should register to vote. The deadline to submit application forms to register to vote is midnight on Tuesday 3 October.
Voters are also reminded that, to receive their ballot paper, they will be required to produce an acceptable form of photographic identification at the polling station. Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo. View a full list of what is acceptable. For anyone who does not already have an accepted form of photo ID, or is unsure whether their photo ID still looks like them, they can apply for the free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC). The deadline to apply for a VAC to vote in the 19 October by-election is 5pm on Wednesday 11 October. Voters wishing to apply should first make sure they are registered to vote.
Marcel Coiffait, our Electoral Registration Officer and Chief Executive, said:
Anyone not yet registered to vote should do so as soon as possible. It only takes a few minutes to complete the form online and it will enable residents in Mid Bedfordshire to have their say on who will be their next MP. More information about other ways to vote, including by post and advice on how to apply for a proxy vote along with other critical deadlines can be found on our website.