There are less than 50 days to go until Liverpool holds all out elections to fill seats across the newly drawn boundary lines.
It is a landmark ballot for the city, with a new governance model replacing the Mayoralty and a new chief executive waiting to take up his position once the council's membership has been confirmed. It is also the first election since the significant Caller Report was published in 2021 and the intervention of government-appointed commissioners.
One other deadline is fast approaching with less than a month to go to register for a vote. However, things will be a little different this time around, with significant changes to voter ID requirements.
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As of May 4 - polling day in Liverpool and UK wide - those hoping to carry out their democratic duty will have to carry with them a driving licence, passport or another acceptable form of identification as per new Whitehall mandated guidelines. This has come in following the passing of the Elections Act 2022 through Parliament last April.
The practice is already in place in Northern Ireland but is a first of its kind in England, Wales and Scotland. As per Liverpool Council’s website, when you turn up to cast your vote later this year, you will need to take with you one of the following: A passport, driving licence - including provisional licence, a Blue Badge, older or disabled person’s bus pass, identity card with Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) mark, a biometric immigration document, a defence identity card or certain national identity cards.
However, if you have a student card, it won’t be good enough - which could prove incredibly problematic in a university-heavy city like Liverpool. Theresa Grant, Liverpool Council returning officer, said the changes will make 2023’s poll the “most complex set of elections ever held” in the city.
She said: “The changes will affect every voter in the city, so we are working really hard to let people know about them in advance. On polling day, it is essential that residents take the correct voter ID with them, otherwise our staff will not be able to issue them with a ballot paper and they could miss out on being able to vote.
“Please check in advance that you have one of the acceptable forms of ID, and if not, apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. All voters need to check their polling card for details of the polling station, because it may now be in a different location.
“Voters also have the option to request a postal vote, but we are asking them to do it sooner rather than later so we can get it processed in good time. Collectively, the changes mean these will be the most complex set of elections ever held in Liverpool, but our staff are doing all they can to make sure the process is as smooth as possible.”
Cllr Nick Small is standing as the Labour candidate for the City Centre North ward. He said the changes being made by the government ahead of the election were akin to “an aspirin in search of a headache.”
He said: “In 2021, the latest year figures are available, there were only two cases of electoral fraud where court proceedings were initiated. These new laws are about voter suppression, making it more difficult for some people to vote.
“People should check the City Council’s website to see if they have got the right photo ID. If not, they can apply for a free voter authority certificate or apply for a postal vote, where you don’t need photo ID.”
The Electoral Commission, the independent body which oversees elections in the UK, is encouraging those who haven’t already to ensure they are signed up to vote ahead of the April 17 deadline and can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
A person can register to vote in the May elections if they are aged 18 or over on polling day, a British citizen resident in the UK, or an Irish, EU or qualifying Commonwealth citizen resident in the UK. Anyone previously on the register who has recently moved home or whose details have changed will need to register to vote again.
Craig Westwood, Electoral Commission director of communications, said: “Only those registered to vote can have their say at the May elections on issues important to their local areas. It only takes five minutes, and we encourage everyone to make sure they are correctly registered, particularly those that may have changed address since last year.
“This year voters should also remember that they will need to bring photo ID to the polling station to be able to vote. Anyone that does not have an accepted form of ID can apply for free voter ID by 25 April.”
One other change coming at this election is a more Liverpool-specific issue. Ms Grant has warned candidates that the city’s tradition of placing boxes outside polling places will no longer be permitted.
During previous elections, parties had placed large boxes with party identities or colours marked on. This was for voters to put their poll cards in as a record of their vote, whether or not a teller is present, acting as an unofficial exit poll.
However, the returning officer has informed parties this will no longer be tolerated. In an election communications seen by the ECHO, Ms Grant said: “This is considered to be very poor practice because it introduces a party-political presence within the polling place and clearly implies they are authorised by the Returning Officer.
"For the avoidance of any doubt, Presiding Officers will be instructed to treat any boxes (or any items) placed in a polling place by a candidate, agent or political party as waste. They will be removed immediately and put in the bin and no warning of removal and disposal will be given."
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