Voters have been warned to ensure they are prepared for major changes coming into force at the polling stations in one month's time.
From May 4, all voters in England will need to show photo ID in order to vote at polling stations in some elections, including local elections, police and crime commissioner elections, and UK parliamentary by-elections. From October 2023, the new requirement will also apply to UK general elections.
The Electoral Commission has urged voters to make sure they are aware of the changes and what they need to do to prepare for the upcoming elections. Craig Westwood, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, told the PA news agency: "The elections are quickly approaching and there a few steps that voters should take to be ready.
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"It is important that everyone makes sure they have an accepted form of ID if they intend to vote at a polling station. Postal voting is not affected by the new ID requirement," he explained. Here's what you need to know about the new photo ID rules and what to do if you don't have suitable ID.
What dates do I need to know for the upcoming elections?
Local elections are taking place across England on May 4. The deadline to register to vote in these elections is April 17, while the deadline to apply for postal vote is April 18 and the deadline to apply for a proxy vote or free voter ID is April 25.
Registering to vote online takes just five minutes, and you will need your National Insurance number - you can do this on the gov.uk website. If you can't register online, you can download a paper form instead and return it to your local Electoral Registration Office.
What photo ID can I use?
The Electoral Commission has issued a list of which forms of photo ID will be accepted at polling stations. This includes:
- A 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
- A driving licence or provisional driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state
- A Blue Badge
- Older Person's Bus Pass
- Disabled Person's Bus Pass
You can see the full list of acceptable forms of ID here.
Can I use my photo ID if it's out of date?
Yes - any of the forms of photo ID listed above can still be used at the polling station if they are out of date, as long as the photo still looks like you and the name on the ID is the same name you used to register to vote. If you are worried that your photo no longer looks like you, you may need to apply for a voter ID document - this is explained below.
What happens if I don't have the correct photo ID?
If you don't have any of the appropriate forms of photo ID outlined above, you can apply for a free voter ID document called a Voter Authority Certificate. You will need to register to vote before applying for this certificate, and the deadline to apply is April 25 - you can apply here.
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