Do I need ID to vote in the May local elections – and what is accepted?
Find out what you need to take.
Everyone voting in person in the upcoming local elections will notice a major change this time.
Instead of just giving your name at the desk and being handed a ballot paper on May 4, you’ll need to bring something with you to prove who you are.
And that won’t be as simple as showing your debit card or a bill lurking in the bottom of your bag with your name on it.
So here’s everything you need to know before heading to the polling station next month.
Do I need ID to vote?
Yes, you will need photo ID to vote – unless you’re voting by post.
The change was introduced last April, and currently covers:
England and Wales
- Local elections
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections
- UK parliamentary by-elections
- Recall petitions.
Scotland
- UK parliamentary by-elections
- Recall petitions
From October 2023 you will also need photo ID to vote in UK General Elections.
In Northern Ireland, voters have been required to show ID since 1985, and photo ID since 2003.
What ID is accepted?
You can show a passport or driving license provided it is issued in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, EEA state or a Commonwealth country (plus a British Overseas Territory for passports only).
Note that it doesn’t matter if your photo ID is out of date, so long as the picture looks like you.
What ID is accepcted?
Accepted forms of ID are (you’ll need originals, not photocopies):
- A passport
- A driving license
- A Blue Badge
- Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
- Oyster 60+ Card funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
- Freedom Pass
- Scottish National Entitlement Card
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- Biometric immigration document
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
- Voter Authority Certificate
- Anonymous Elector’s Document
The introduction of voter ID has angered some people, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who claims it is being introduced by the Tories ‘for naked political advantage’.
But the government claims it is needed to help prevent electoral fraud and to ‘ensure the electoral system remains secure, transparent and fair for generations to come’.
What if I don’t have photo ID?
You’ll need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate – but act fast, as you only have until 5pm on Tuesday, April 25 to do so.
To find out more and apply, visit the Electoral Commission website.
Or if you’re registered to vote anonymously, and want to vote in person, you can apply for an Anonymous Elector’s Document.
The deadline for everyone to register to vote in the May 4 elections – if you haven’t already done so – is 11.59pm on April 17.
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