Elections Act and voter ID
On 28 April 2022, the Elections Act 2022 was granted Royal Assent. The Act will bring major changes to the way elections are run.
One of these changes is that, from May 2023, you will need to show photographic identification (photo ID) when you visit a polling station to cast your vote.
Bring photo ID to vote in May
From May 2023, voters have to show photo ID at polling stations before they are given a ballot paper.
Read more information about the Elections Act 2022
The most commonly used photographic IDs include:
- passports issued by:
- the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
- a British Overseas Territory
- an European Economic Area (EEA) state
- a Commonwealth country
- photographic driver’s licences (including provisional) issued by:
- the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
- an EEA state
- EEA photo ID cards
- biometric residence permits
- identity cards that bear the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS Scheme) hologram
- Blue Badges
- 60+ Oyster photocards
- Concessionary travel passes funded by the government, or a local authority. Examples include:
- older person’s bus passes
- disabled person’s bus passes
- travel cards from Wales or Northern Ireland
Only original documents are accepted. Scanned images or copies will not be accepted – however, expired documents are accepted if the photo is still a current likeness.
Read the full list of photo ID that will be accepted as voter ID
What to do when you have no photo ID
If you do not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID and you would like to vote, you need to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.
This certificate is a free photo ID document that will allow you to vote.
You can apply for a certificate from Monday 16 January 2023.
Follow this link