On Thursday 4 July general elections are taking place for the new constituencies, which are: 

• Barnsley North covering Central, Cudworth, Darton East, Darton West, Monk Bretton, North East, Old Town, Royston, and St. Helen’s wards. 

• Barnsley South covering Darfield, Dearne North, Dearne South, Hoyland Milton, Kingstone, Rockingham, Stairfoot, Wombwell, and Worsbrough wards. 

The election in the Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency, covering Dodworth, Penistone East, and Penistone West wards, will be managed by Sheffield City Council as the majority of the constituency in the Sheffield area. 

Residents in Barnsley are being urged to remember their photo ID when they go to vote. 

Voters will need to show photo ID at polling stations before they can receive their ballot paper.  

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK or EEA drivers’ licence, including a provisional; an older person’s bus pass or disabled person’s bus pass; and the new free Voter Authority Certificate. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.  

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm. Voters will be required to show photo ID and for it to be checked by polling station staff. A private area will be available at the polling station so a voter can choose to have their ID viewed in private if they like.  

Sarah Norman, Chief Executive and Acting Returning Officer at Barnsley Council, said: “With a week to go, make sure you’re ready for the general election on the 4 July. Before heading to the polling station on election day, check that you’ve got an accepted form of ID and remember to bring it with you. If you need any help, you can contact the Electoral Services team by sending an email to ElectoralServices@barnsley.gov.uk or calling 01226 773 070.” 

“If a voter has concerns about showing their face at a polling station, they can ask to have their ID checked in private. They won’t need to give a reason for their request or explain why they’d prefer privacy. Staff will be trained to handle requests for ID to be checked in private, discreetly and with courtesy.” 

Craig Westwood, Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission, said: “Anyone voting in the general election will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. Before you head to the polling station, double check you have the right identification with you to enable you to vote.  

“If you get to a polling station and you have forgotten your ID, you can return later with it before the polls close and cast your vote.” 

The full list of accepted ID, along with more information about the new requirement, is available on the Electoral Commission’s website. 

You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate until 5pm on Wednesday 26 June. If voters lose their ID, or their Voter Authority Certificate does not arrive in time for election day, they can appoint an emergency proxy to vote on their behalf up until 5pm on election day. The person appointed as proxy, voting on someone else’s behalf, must have their own acceptable photo ID.