Are you election ready?

With Barnsley residents set to go to the polls next Thursday, 4 May, we're encouraging voters to make sure they're ready for the upcoming elections.

Voters should have received a polling card with information on where they should go to cast their vote. Those registered to vote will have been allocated a polling station based on their home address. Information on polling stations is also available on the Electoral Commission’s website.

Remember, to vote in person at a polling station you will need to bring a form of accepted photo ID. This includes your passport, driving licence, provisional driving licence, older person's bus pass or disabled person's bus pass. A full list of accepted forms of photo ID is available on the Electoral Commission's website.

Staff will be on hand to assist voters with any questions about filling out their ballot paper. Several things will be available at polling stations to help people cast their vote, including large print sample ballot papers and tactile voting devices to help those with a visual impairment.

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm.

Sarah Norman, Chief Executive and Returning Officer for Barnsley Council, said: "Please check the information on your polling card carefully as your polling station may have changed since the last election and it may not be the closest one to where you live. You don't need to take your polling card with you to vote.

"However, you will need to take one of the accepted forms of photo ID or a voter authority certificate with you. If you turn up to vote without an accepted form of photo ID, you will be asked to return with an ID that is accepted to be able to vote."

If you have registered to vote but have a medical emergency which occurs after the proxy voting deadline and means you won't be able to vote, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on polling day. This allows you to nominate someone you trust to vote on your behalf. You must give a reason why you need to vote by proxy and your application must be supported by a qualified medical professional.

For further information on how to apply for an emergency proxy, please visit our voting by proxy webpage or contact our Electoral Services team at 01226 773 070.

For further information on the local elections, go to electoralcommission.org.uk/voter. This page will continue to be updated ahead of the polls.

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