In future, voters will need to show photo ID to vote in polling stations at this year’s local elections. As before, you will also need to be registered to vote .
This new requirement was introduced by the Elections Act which comes into force at the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023. You need to check that you have an accepted form of photo ID.
Accepted forms of ID include a passport; a drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for a free voter ID document (known as a Voter Authority Certificate) at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/,
or by submitting a paper application to the Council’s electoral services team.
The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how and when to apply for the free ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.