At Local Elections on 4th May, voters will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations
From 4th May 2023, voters in England will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.
This will apply to:
Local elections
Police and Crime Commissioner elections
UK parliamentary by-elections
Recall petitions
From October 2023 it will also apply to UK General elections. (The next United Kingdom general election is scheduled to be held no later than 24th January 2025).
If you don't have accepted photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence, or another acceptable form of photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
It could take several weeks for your application to be be processed and you won't be able to obtain one of these certificates on polling day so please apply now to ensure you are not turned away from the polling station on election day.
A voter authority certificate is only needed if you don't have another type of photo ID eg passport or driving licence.
You can find out everything you need to know about how to vote HERE with the Electoral Commission
