Voter ID Needed for Elections

Published Wednesday 11 January, 2023
Last updated on Wednesday 15 March, 2023

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections. This new requirement will apply for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.

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

• passport
• driving licence (including provisional license)
• blue badge
• certain concessionary travel cards
• identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• biometric Immigration document
• defence identity card
• certain national identity cards

If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about  which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit the Electoral Commission website or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.