Voter ID requirements from May 2023

From May 2023 voters in England will need to show an accepted form of photographic identification in order to receive their ballot paper(s) to cast their vote at a polling station for local elections and referendums, recall petitions and Police and Crime Commissioner elections. Voter ID will be required at UK Parliamentary General Elections from October 2023.  Electors who do not hold any of the accepted forms of photo ID will be able to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

(Please note that these new requirements will not affect electors who vote by post.)

For full details of the new requirements including which forms of ID are acceptable and how to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate please follow the link below:

Voter ID | Electoral Commission

The deadline for applications for Voter Authority Certificate applications is 5pm on Thursday 25 April 2023.

We have produced a list of frequently asked questions about Voter ID at polling stations.