Wirral voters only have a couple more weeks to register to vote in this year's local elections.
There will be 66 council seats up for grabs in May as Wirral Council moves to a system of all-out elections. This means unlike previous years, voters will be electing three councillors in their area not just one.
Unlike previous years, the local authority is also moving to elections every four years meaning those elected will remain in post until 2027.
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To have their say, voters are required to register to vote by midnight (11.59pm) on April 17 ahead of the elections on May 4. This is the same date for those who want to vote in elections in Liverpool, Sefton, and Knowsley.
Councillors elected in this year’s elections will influence key issues such as the future management of Hoylake beach, the council’s draft Local Plan, as well as major regeneration projects in places like Birkenhead, Bromborough and New Ferry.
To be eligible to vote, you must be 18 or older and this year everyone who goes to vote at a polling booth will be required to produce a valid form of ID. This is due to a law passed by the government in 2022.
What ID will I need?
Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
Photographic driver’s licence issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (including provisional)
European Economic Area (EEA) photographic ID Card
UK Biometric Residence Permit
An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card)
A Blue Badge
Oyster 60+ Card
A concessionary travel pass funded by the Government
Data from the Electoral Commission showed 8% of people in the North West didn’t have a valid form of ID, the highest of any region.
For anyone who doesn’t have one of the above, you can apply for a free ID before 5pm on April 25. You will need to register to vote beforehand.
The introduction of voter ID has been controversial on the Wirral with Wirral Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat councillors arguing the proposals could stop people from voting.
Conservative councillors however said the rules were necessary in order to keep elections secure and help prevent voter fraud. In recent weeks, Conservative groups in Wirral have been encouraging people to apply for a postal vote on social media which doesn’t require a form of ID to vote.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote in 5pm on April 18.
Wirral Council will also be running drop-in sessions from April 3 to April 6 between 9.30am to 4pm at BirkenEd’s Place at 8-10 Borough Pavement to raise awareness about the new voter ID requirements. People will also be able to get any photographs taken required for voter ID.
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