With two weeks until local elections take place, the Government
is encouraging people to check that they have accepted photo
identification ready and apply for a free voter authority
certificate if needed.
Anyone voting in person in local elections taking place in
England on Thursday 4th May 2023 will need an accepted
form of photo identification to cast their vote.
This brings the rest of the UK in line with Northern Ireland,
which has had photo identification to vote in elections since
2003, and will ensure that elections are better protected from
the potential for voter fraud.
While the vast majority of voters already own an accepted form of
identification, which includes driving licences, blue badges, NUS
Totum cards and Freedom passes, voters who do not have accepted
photo identification can apply for a free local Voter Authority
Certificate by post or online 24 hours a day, up until Tuesday 25
April at 5pm.
The Government is working with the Electoral Commission, local
authorities and stakeholders to ensure voters are aware of the
changes. The Commission has been running a public awareness
campaign since January, running widely across all major channels.
Levelling Up Secretary said:
“It’s vital you check now if you have the photo
identification needed to vote in English local elections taking
place in May.
“While the vast majority of voters already own an accepted
form of identification, anyone who needs to can apply for a free
Voter Authority Certificate before 5pm on
Tuesday.
“For more information please check your polling card and find
more details online.”
Accepted forms of photo identification and further information
are available on gov.uk and the Electoral
Commission website.
Notes to editors:
Accepted forms of identification include:
- Driving licence (including provisional licences)
- Passport
- PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme – this
includes the NUS Totum card, the Post Office card, Young Scot
card)
- Blue Badge
- Biometric residence permit
- Defence Identity Card
- National identity cards issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or
Liechtenstein
- Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
- Voter Authority Certificate
- Anonymous Elector’s Document
- Older person’s bus pass
- Disabled person’s bus pass
- Oyster 60+ card
- Freedom Pass
- Scottish National Entitlement Card
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass
