South Hampstead by-election June 1: voter information
The South Hampstead by-election will take place on Thursday 1st June. Residents will be required to present photo ID when voting in person at their Polling Station.
If you live in the South Hampstead ward, there is still time to check you have a form of accepted photographic ID needed to vote in person, or to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if you do not.
Applications for postal and proxy votes are also open.
A map of the South Hampstead ward can be viewed here.
The by-election result will be announced on Friday 2nd June.
Photographic ID
Residents will now need to show photo ID to vote in person at elections, including in the South Hampstead by-election.
Accepted forms of photo ID include:
- Passports issued in the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, British Overseas Territories, an EEA state, or a Commonwealth country
- Driver licenses issued in the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (including provisional driving licences)
- Blue Badges
- Some travel passes
- Proof of Age cards
- Other government issued documents – for example, Biometric immigration document, National identity card issued by an EEA state.
For the full list of accepted photo ID please the Gov website.
You can also use an expired photo ID as long as you are still recognisable from the photo. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.
If you do not have any of the accepted photo ID, and want to vote at a Polling Station, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate
Voter Authority Certificate
A Voter Authority Certificate is a free photographic identification document specific for the purpose of voting.
You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if:
- You do not have an accepted form of photo ID
- You are not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you
- You are worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker
To apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, please visit the Gov website.
The application process requires you to provide a photo of yourself, your national insurance number and date of birth.
The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate to vote in the South Hampstead by-election is 5pm on Tuesday 23rd May.
Voters who do not produce a Voter Authority Certificate, or valid identification will not be able to vote at their Polling Station on polling day.
Register to vote
Polling cards are now being sent by post to all registered voters in the ward, along with information about photographic ID requirements for voting in person.
If you are not registered to vote, you have until midnight on Monday 15th May to register to vote in the South Hampstead by-election.
To register please visit camden.gov.uk/register-to-vote or call Electoral Services on 020 7974 4444.
Once you have registered to vote you can also apply to vote for a postal vote or to vote by proxy.
Postal vote
If you apply to vote by post, your ballot paper will be sent to you ahead of the election and included with your ballot will be instructions on how to complete your vote and return it back to us in time.
To receive a postal vote, you must first complete an application form.
You can complete an application form by visiting camden.gov.uk/postal-voting.
You can also request a paper application form by emailing [email protected] or by calling 020 7974 4444.
Postal vote applications need to be completed and returned by 5pm on Tuesday 16th May.
On your application form we will ask for your date of birth and a hand-written signature. To help prevent fraud, you will be required to give these details again when you use your postal vote.
Postal votes will only be counted if they are returned before 10pm on Thursday 1st June, so it is important that you return them to us as soon as you can.
If you are concerned that your postal vote might not arrive on time, you can hand it in in person at the Crowndale Centre or at your local polling station on Thursday 1st June until 10pm.
Vote by proxy
You can appoint a proxy, which is a person who you chose to vote on your behalf at your polling station. They can be a friend or a relative.
Your appointed proxy will need to cast your vote at your designated polling station and your proxy must be registered to vote and eligible to vote at the election.
Proxy voters will need to show their own photographic identification, not that of the elector they are voting on behalf of.
You can complete an proxy vote application by visiting camden.gov.uk/voting-by-proxy.
You can also request a paper application form by emailing [email protected] or by calling 020 7974 4444.
Proxy vote applications will need to be completed and returned by 5pm on Tuesday 23rd May.
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 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 approved form of photographic ID.
Can I get a Voter Authority Certificate on the day?
No, applications for Voter Authority Certificate will not be accepted after the deadline at midnight on Tuesday 23rd May. So that it is received in time, please completed your application as soon as possible if you need Voter Authority Certificate.
My name is different on my photo ID to the electoral register, what should I do?
If in any doubt about whether your identification will be accepted, please contact [email protected].
I don’t want to risk losing my ID, can I bring a photocopy?
Whatever form of ID you bring must be the original, no copies or electronic versions will be accepted.
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 [email protected]
Can I use an expired driving licence or passport?
Yes, as long as the photo is still a good likeness.
My passport and driving licence show the wrong address, is this ok?
Yes, as long as the photo is still a good likeness. 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 electors who wish to have their identity checked in private.
Voting FAQs
Emergency proxy votes
There may be certain circumstances where you have to attend to an emergency on polling day and cannot vote in person. Under these circumstances an emergency proxy vote may be available to you.
Please contact [email protected] or call 020 7974 4444 before 5pm on polling day (June 1st).
Lost or spoiled postal votes
If you have lost or damaged your postal vote, a replacement can be issued until 5pm on Thursday 1st June.
Please get in touch with our elections office at [email protected] or by calling 020 7974 4444.
Polling station open times
Polls open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 1st June. As long as you are in the polling station queue by 10pm you will still be allowed to vote.
You can find directions to your polling station on the back of your polling card or you can find directions online at wheredoivote.co.uk.
Lost polling card
You do not need your polling card to have your say on Thursday 1st June. As long as you registered to vote before midnight on Monday 15th May, your name will be on the electoral register. Simply arrive at your local polling station and let the staff know your name and address.
Accessibility in our polling stations
All of our polling stations have disabled access. However, if you require extra help, there are staff at all of our polling stations who will be ready to assist you. This could be help accessing the polling station or the use of specially designed tools to help you cast your vote. Alternatively, you can choose a companion to come along to the polling station with you to help you cast your vote. The presiding officer at the station will be able to help you with this on polling day.
Dogs in polling stations
Dogs are allowed into many of our polling stations however, it is at the building owner’s discretion. If there is clear signage in place that states dogs are not allowed, then we ask that you respect these wishes. Guide and assistance dogs are exempt from these rules and allowed into all polling stations.
Photo policy
We ask that you refrain from taking photos while inside polling stations, this is to ensure that you don’t break strict laws around the secrecy of the ballot. However, you’re more than welcome to take photos outside your polling station.