Voters without ID have just one week left to apply for free voter ID before the general election on July 4.

The Electoral Commission is encouraging anyone who needs the free ID to apply now, before the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday, June 26.

The Commission has partnered with disability charities Mencap Cymru, RNIB Cymru and Learning Disability Wales, to help ensure all voters have the information and support they need to take part in the democratic process.

Research following last year’s local elections in England revealed that disabled voters found it harder to show accepted ID at the polling station. Accepted forms of ID include a passport, driving licence, a Blue Badge and a disabled person’s bus pass. Anyone without one of these can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate that can be used to prove their identity at the polling station.

Applications can be submitted online at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate, by contacting your local council’s electoral services team in person or over the phone, or completing a paper form and sending it to the relevant local team.

At the polling station, disabled voters can now choose anyone who is 18 or over to accompany them to a polling station and provide support. Local councils should make equipment and support available to disabled voters, including tactile voting devices, polling booths at wheelchair level, magnifiers and pencil grips.

Anyone that requires extra support or is considered clinically vulnerable should contact their local council to find out what measures are available at polling stations.

Rhydian Thomas, Head of the Electoral Commission, Wales said: “Any voter that does not have the ID they need to vote, has one week left to apply for the free voter ID. Time is of the essence, so don’t delay in applying.

"It’s important that all voters are able to vote independently and secretly. Local councils can provide equipment to help support this, so get in touch with yours to discuss what can be made available.”

Samantha Williams, Policy and Communications Manager at Learning Disability Wales said: “People with a learning disability often experience barriers to voting in elections. For example, not everyone has the ID they need to vote in the general election on 4 July. It is really important that people know that if they don’t have ID, they can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate by 26 June.

“There is easy read information available to help people understand their rights, why voting is important, how to apply for voter ID and what to expect when you vote.”

Ansley Workman, Director of RNIB Cymru said: “No one should face barriers when exercising their right to vote. It is crucial that blind and partially sighted people get all the information they need about voting requirements, accessibility provisions and extra support at the polling station, in an accessible format of their choice.

“The free Voter Authority Certificate is a step towards building a more equitable voting landscape in Wales. We hope to see more positive changes to the current system that will allow everybody to vote independently and in secret.

“Blind and partially sighted people with questions about voting with sight loss can contact RNIB Cymru for information and advice via our Helpline by calling 0303 123 9999 or visiting rnib.org.uk.”