Manchester voters are being reminded of polling day and postal voting arrangements as the nation casts its votes in the forthcoming General Election.
On Thursday 4 July, polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm across Manchester’s six parliamentary constituencies – Blackley and Middleton South; Gorton and Denton; Manchester Central; Manchester Rusholme; Manchester Withington and Wythenshawe and Sale East.
Under national rules, electors will have to have approved photo ID such as a UK, EU or Commonwealth passports, photocard driving licence, a Voter Authority Certificate or other specified forms of ID in order to be able to vote. Accepted ID can still be used for voting even if it has expired as long the photo is still a good likeness of the elector. A full list of accepted ID can be found at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/VoterID
Anyone who has lost their approved ID, or who applied for a Voter Authority Certificate before the 5pm on 26 June deadline which hasn’t arrived, should contact the Council’s Electoral Services Unit at esu@manchester.gov.uk or on (0161) 234 1212.
At polling stations privacy screens will be available for anyone who wants to show their ID in private, for whatever reason, and staff are trained to handle such requests discreetly and with courtesy.
People who have requested and received postal votes are being encouraged to complete and return them as soon as possible. If they can’t post the completed postal ballot themselves they should only ask someone they know and trust to post them. It is a criminal offence for candidates or political campaigners to handle the postal vote of anyone who is not a close relative or someone for whom they provide care.
Postal votes can still be posted back on polling day – Royal Mail carry out a final sweep of post boxes and deliver postal votes to elections staff - as long as they are posted before the final collection time for that postbox. If they are posted after the final collection time, they will not arrive in time to be counted.
Electors can also hand in completed postal ballots to any polling station in the Manchester City Council area on 4 July or at the Customer Service Centre in the town hall extension building, Mount Street entrance, between 9am and 5pm up to and including polling day. Anyone handing in a postal ballot pack will be provided with a form which must be completed to ensure the pack is accepted.
Acting Returning Officer for Manchester Joanne Roney CBE said: “I’d encourage people who plan to cast their vote at a polling station to check that they’ve got the voter ID they need before setting off.
“Or if you’ve got a postal vote you’re advised to complete and return it as soon as possible.
“These elections are hugely important and we don’t want anyone who is eligible to vote in them to miss out.”