Voter ID at Elections

Voter ID at Elections

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting in person at a polling station at some elections.

This means that electors will now be required to show photo ID at polling stations before they are given a ballot paper. This new requirement will apply for the first time at the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.

What ID can you use?

You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following: 

  • passport
  • photo driving licence
  • blue badge
  • Older Person's Bus Pass, Disabled Person's Bus Pass, Oyster 60+ Card, Freedom Pass
  • identity card with PASS hologram (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
  • biometric immigration document
  • defence identity card
  • national identity cards issued by an EEA state

There are other types of photo ID you can use and for more information on what will be accepted, visit the Electoral Commission: Voter ID or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

Please note: Only original documents are accepted; scanned images or copies will not be accepted however you can still use expired photo ID, as long as it still looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same name as you are registered to vote.

If you do not have photo ID

If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply for this online at the Voter Authority Certificate Service or contact Electoral Services for a paper application form.

Deadline to apply for 4 May 2023 Elections

The deadline to apply for Voter Authority Certificate for elections on Thursday 4 May 2023 is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.

You need to be registered to vote before you apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if you are not you can apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Postal and proxy voters

Postal electors will not be affected and will be issued with their postal ballot papers as usual. If electors choose to vote by proxy, the proxy will need to take their own identification to the polling station.