| With local elections back on, anyone who wants to vote must make sure they are registered in time. Elections for East Sussex County Council and half the elected members at Hastings Borough Council will take place on 7 May. Research shows that some groups, including young people, students and those who have recently moved, are less likely to be registered than others. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 20 April and it takes just five minutes to register online. Once registered, voters have a range of options – they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote on their behalf, known as a proxy vote. Voters going to a polling station will need to show photo ID. The most common forms or accepted ID are: - Passport
- Driving licence (including provisional license)
- Blue badge
- Certain concessionary travel cards
- Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
You will only need to show one form of photo ID, but it needs to be the original version and not a photocopy. The name on your ID must be the same name you used to register to vote. Check out the full list of accepted ID on the GOV.UK website. If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID Most people already have valid photo ID and won’t need to take any action. If you do not have one of the accepted types of ID, you can apply for free ID at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for use at the 7 May local elections in England is 5pm Tuesday 28 April. | 
