On Thursday, May 4, residents will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them in Uttlesford.

The elections will select councillors for all 39 seats on Uttlesford District Council, as well as in the town and parish councils where seats are contested.

These elections will mark the first time voters will be required to show photo ID at a polling station.

Valid forms of voter ID include a passport, driver's 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.

Anyone without any form of accepted ID can apply for a free voter ID document - called a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC). Applications can be submitted via the government website, or by requesting a form from Uttlesford District Council.

People who need help or do not have internet access can attend the council offices in Saffron Walden, where a member of staff will help them complete the form.

The deadline to apply for a VAC before the elections is 5pm on Tuesday, April 25. Voters will not require photo ID if they vote by post.

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For more information go to www.uttlesford.gov.uk/local-elections-2023.

Residents must make sure they are registered to vote, particularly if they have just turned 18 or moved home.

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday, April 17. You can apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or request an application form by emailing elections@uttlesford.gov.uk or calling 01799 510510.

If you wish to apply for a postal vote, you will need to do so by 5pm on Tuesday, April 18.

If you do not have time or forget to post your postal pack before polling day, then you can take it to the polling station where you live on polling day itself and hand it in before 10pm. Postal votes that arrive after 10pm on May 4 will not be counted.

To apply for a proxy vote - where someone else votes on your behalf - you will need to apply by 5pm on Tuesday, April 25.