VOTERS are being urged to bring photographic identification to polling stations as the first General Election is staged in North Yorkshire since a national crackdown to tackle electoral fraud.

On Thursday, July 4, the electorate will be voting to select Members of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon and the six other constituencies across the county.

A requirement was introduced from May last year for voters to bring a form of photo ID to polling stations to prove their identity.

With less than three weeks to go until polling day, residents are also being reminded to make sure they are registered to vote.

Residents have until Tuesday, June 18, to register to vote and until 5pm on Wednesday, June 19, to apply for a postal vote. If someone is unable to vote in person or by post they have until 5pm on Wednesday, June 26, to apply for a proxy vote.

There are many accepted forms of ID including a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence, full or provisional; a UK passport or a passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man, or any of the Channel Islands; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or blue badge. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

Anyone without an accepted form of ID should apply for a free voter authority certificate by 5pm on Wednesday, June 26.

Apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.

Standing in the Skipton and Ripon constituency are: Malcolm Birks, Labour Party; Andy Brown, Green Party; Simon Garvey, Reform UK; Ryan Kett, Yorkshire Party; Andrew Murday, Liberal Democrats; Guy Phoenix, Heritage Party; Julian Smith, The Conservative Party and Keith Tordoff, Independent.

The count for Skipton and Ripon will take place at the Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate, once the polling stations close at 10pm on July 4.

To view the candidates and for more information on voting, visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/election2024