Holborn and St Pancras by-election: Important information
A by-election will be held in Holborn and St Pancras on Thursday 8 October to elect a new Member of Parliament for the constituency.
There is still time to register to vote, apply to vote by post or proxy, and apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if you don’t have photo ID.
Register to vote
Poll cards will soon be sent by post to all registered voters in the Holborn and St Pancras constituency.
Register to vote, if not already registered, on the GOV.UK website or call our Electoral Services team on 020 7974 4444. The deadline to register to vote is 11.59pm on Tuesday 22 September. You will be asked for your National Insurance number, but you can still register if you do not have one.
Once you have registered to vote you can also apply for a postal or proxy vote, or a Voter Authority Certificate.
Eligibility
You can vote in the by-election if you live in the Holborn and St Pancras constituency and you’re registered to vote, aged 18 or over on polling day, and a British or an Irish citizen, or if you're a qualifying Commonwealth citizen.
Check you live in the Holborn and St Pancras constituency
Check your eligibility to vote
Photo ID
If you vote at a polling station, you will need to show original photo ID. You can use expired ID as long as you still look like the photo. Your name on your ID should be the same name you used to register.
Accepted forms of photo ID include:
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Blue Badge
- Oyster 60+ card
- Freedom Pass
- Proof of Age (PASS) card
Check the full list of accepted ID on the GOV.UK website
Voter Authority Certificate
If you don't have accepted photo ID, apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, which is a photographic identification document specifically for the purpose of voting.
Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate on the GOV.UK website by 5pm on Wednesday 30 September.
You will need to provide a photo of yourself and your National Insurance number.
If you need help taking a photo or completing an application form, please contact us at electoral.services@camden.gov.uk or phone 020 7974 4444. You can also get help completing a Voter Authority Certificate form at Camden library
Postal vote
Apply to vote by post on the GOV.UK website by 5pm on Wednesday 23 September.
You will need to provide your National Insurance number or other identity document, address and signature, which will be used to verify your identity. To prevent fraud, you need to provide your signature when you use your postal vote.
Proxy vote
Apply for a proxy vote on the GOV.UK website by 5pm on Wednesday 30 September.
A proxy vote is when you choose someone to vote on your behalf because you're unable to make it to your polling station on polling day. The person you choose can be a friend or a relative. Your appointed proxy will need to cast your vote at your designated polling station and must be registered to vote at the election.
You will need to provide your National Insurance number or other identity document, your signature, and the address and contact details of your proxy.
You are able to act as a proxy for up to 2 people living in the UK, or a maximum of 4 people with 2 living in the UK and 2 people registered as living overseas.
Accessible voting
Our polling stations are accessible and there's range of support and tools available to help you vote independently at your polling station or by post.
Find out more about accessible voting
You can also get paper application forms to register to vote, or apply for a postal or proxy vote or Voter Authority Certificate. Contact Camden Electoral services – email electoral.services@camden.gov.uk or phone 020 7974 4444. You can also pick up a Voter Authority Certificate application form at Camden library
About the Holborn and St Pancras by-election
Check your polling station on your poll card.
The list of candidates will be published on our website at 5pm on Tuesday 15 September.
Votes will be counted overnight on Thursday 8 October and results published on our website
Voter ID FAQs
What if my appearance has changed on my photo ID?
If you look totally different on your ID, we recommend that you apply for a Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline to prevent you from not being able to vote.
Can I use a poll card as ID?
No, it must be an accepted form of photo ID. Check the full list on the GOV.UK website
Can I get a Voter Authority Certificate on the day?
No, applications for Voter Authority Certificates will not be accepted after the deadline – 5pm on Wednesday 30 September.
My name is different on my photo ID to the electoral register – what should I do?
If you are in any doubt about whether your identification will be accepted, please contact electoral.services@camden.gov.uk
What if I lose my Voter Authority Certificate?
We recommend you keep your Voter Authority Certificate as safe as you would any other form of official identification. However, if this happens, please contact electoral.services@camden.gov.uk
Can I use an expired photo ID?
Yes, as long as you still look like the photo and it is an accepted form of ID.
My passport or driving licence show the wrong address, will it be accepted?
Yes, as long as you still look like the photo. The photo ID is to check your identity, not your address.
I would like my identity checked in private, is this possible?
Yes, all polling stations will have procedures in place for voters who wish to have their identity checked in private.
Voter ID resources in accessible format
View Voter Authority Certificate: an easy read guide on the GOV.UK website