By elections in Shinfield and Earley Town parish councils

Residents who want to vote in the upcoming by-elections for Hawkedon Ward, Earley Town Council and Grazeley and Shinfield North Wards, Shinfield Parish Council have until Tuesday 25 November to register.

The elections to fill the vacant seats will be held on Thursday 11 December. 

It only takes five minutes to register and you will be asked for your National Insurance number, but it is still possible to register without one. 

The candidates for all three elections have now been published on the council's website. 

Changes to elections and voting

Following national changes to elections and voting, residents are required to bring suitable photo ID when they vote. Accepted forms of ID include: 

• Passport
• Full or provisional driving licence
• Blue badge
• Certain concessionary travel cards, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card
• Identity card with Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) mark
• Biometric Immigration document
• Defence identity card
• HM Armed Forces veteran card
• Certain national identity cards 

 Expired ID will also be accepted as long as the photograph on the document still resembles a likeness of the elector. A full list of accepted forms of ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about how to apply. 

Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) Postal and Proxy vote

If you do not have any of the approved forms of ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate in order to take part. The deadline to apply is 5pm Wednesday 3 December.

It is also possible to take part as an absent voter. The deadline for receipt of postal vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday 26 November and for proxy vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday 3 December. 

For security reasons, all postal and proxy vote applications must include a signature, date of birth and your National Insurance number, whether you are applying online or by post. 

Anyone who would like to receive a paper application form for either a postal or proxy vote should contact vote@wokingham.gov.uk

The votes will be counted overnight following the close of the polls at 10pm on 11 December.