Voters will need to bring correct ID to vote in person at the upcoming local elections. Under new national legislation, the 2023 local elections will mark the first time polling stations will require voters to have an approved photo ID with them.
Due to be extended to UK General Elections from October, the new legislation means anyone without an eligible photo ID must apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate before 5pm on April 25 to avoid losing their vote. To apply for this, people must already be registered to vote - full details on how to apply can be found below.
Anyone is who not already registered to vote and wants to have a say on their local representatives can do so at http://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote before the deadline on April 17.
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For those who want to vote by post, Photo ID is not required. The deadline for voting by post is 5pm on April 18 and details on how to do this can be found at http://www.manchester.gov.uk/elections.
Those voting by proxy also do not need their photo ID, but their proxy will need to show their own photo ID at the polling station. Here, we break down everything you need to know about the new rules around voter ID:
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Why are the changes being introduced?
MPs backed proposals to introduce mandatory voter ID for elections in January 2022. The government said the new measure was necessary to prevent voter fraud.
During the last general election in 2019, 595 cases of alleged electoral fraud were investigated by the police, according to the Electoral Commission. Of these, four led to a conviction.
These cases included a man voting twice, and a man voting who was not on the electoral register. Despite these cases, the Electoral Commission has said the UK has low levels of proven electoral fraud, and there remains no evidence of large-scale electoral fraud as of 2019.
What will I need to bring to vote?
Voters will need to bring one form of photo ID to the polling station. The name on the ID must be the same name you used to register to vote and it must be the original version, not a photocopy.
You can still use your photo ID if it is out of date, as long as it looks like you. The accepted forms of photo ID are:
International travel
- Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
Driving and parking
- Full or provisional driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state
- A Blue Badge
Local travel
- 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
- 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
Proof of age
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- Other government issued documents
- 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
What if I don’t have any photo ID?
Those without photo ID can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC). This document can also be used if you are not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you or if you are worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker.
You must be registered to vote before applying for a VAC. The deadline to apply for a VAC for the local elections in England on May 4 is 5pm on Tuesday, April 25.
VAC applications can be made online or by post.
Applying online
To apply for a VAC online, visit the official government website here.
Applying by post
To apply for a VAC by post you must fill out a paper application form and send it to your local council. You can contact your local council to request a form or you can download it here.
You may also be able to apply in person at your local council.
What information do I need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate?
When applying for a Voter Authority Certificate, you will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, and National Insurance number. If you do not know your National Insurance number or do not have one, it can be found on payslips or official letters about tax, pensions or benefits.
You can still apply without a National Insurance number by providing other forms of proof of identity, such as a birth certificate, bank statement and a utility bill. For help with applying for a VAC you can contact your local council or call the official helpline on 0800 328 0280.
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