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VOTER ID

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YOU ARE IN THE VOTING AND ELECTIONS SECTION

 * Home
 * Voting and elections

Your location: England

Change
England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Overseas
We’re showing you content for England . Select ‘change’ to choose a different
location.




INTRODUCTION

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID at
some elections.

In Northern Ireland, voters have been required to show ID when voting since
1985, and photo ID since 2003.

The new requirement does not change this.

The only acceptable forms of ID in Northern Ireland are:

 * a UK, Irish or EU passport
 * a UK, Irish or EEA driving licence
 * a Translink 60+ Smartpass
 * a Translink Senior Smartpass
 * a Translink Blind Person's Smartpass
 * a Translink War Disabled Smartpass
 * an Electoral Identity Card
 * a Translink Half Fare SmartPass
 * a biometric immigration document

The ID can be expired, but staff at the polling station must be satisfied that
you are the person in the photograph on the ID.

Find out more about what photo ID is accepted and how to apply for an Electoral
Identity Card on the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland website (Opens in new
window).


DEADLINE TO APPLY

The deadline to apply for free voter ID for the elections on Thursday 2 May is
5pm on Wednesday 24 April.


VOTER ID REQUIREMENT

Voters in England need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some
elections.

This applies to:

 * UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and
   recall petitions
 * Local elections and by-elections
 * Police and Crime Commissioner elections

Find out more about accepted forms of photo ID, how to apply for a free Voter
Authority Certificate, and what to expect on polling day.


VOTER ID REQUIREMENT

Voters in Wales need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some
elections.

This applies to:

 * UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and
   recall petitions
 * Police and Crime Commissioner elections

Find out more about accepted forms of photo ID, how to apply for a free Voter
Authority Certificate, and what to expect on polling day.

Voters in Wales will not need to show photo ID to vote at a polling station at
Senedd elections or local council elections.


VOTER ID REQUIREMENT

Voters in Scotland need to show photo ID to vote at polling places in some
elections.

This applies to UK parliamentary elections, including general elections,
by-elections and recall petitions. 

Find out more about accepted forms of photo ID, how to apply for a free Voter
Authority Certificate, and what to expect on polling day.

Voters in Scotland will not need to show photo ID at Scottish Parliament
elections or at council elections.


VOTER ID REQUIREMENT

Overseas voters in the UK on polling day need to show photo ID to vote at
polling stations.

This applies to UK parliamentary elections, including general elections,
by-elections and recall petitions.

Find out more about accepted forms of photo ID, how to apply for a free Voter
Authority Certificate, and what to expect on polling day.


IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN ACCEPTED FORM OF ID


DON’T HAVE ID? APPLY FOR FREE VOTER ID NOW

If you don't have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document,
which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate (Opens in new window). The
deadline to apply for free voter ID for the elections on Thursday 2 May is 5pm
on Wednesday 24 April.

Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate


IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN ACCEPTED FORM OF ID


DON’T HAVE ID? APPLY FOR FREE VOTER ID NOW

If you don't have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document,
which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate (Opens in new window).

Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate


VOTING AND BRINGING ID


ACCEPTED FORMS OF PHOTO ID

Learn about the different types of photo ID that will be accepted at elections
that require photo ID


APPLYING FOR A VOTER AUTHORITY CERTIFICATE

Learn more about how to apply for a free voter ID document known as a Voter
Authority Certificate


VOTING IN PERSON

Voting in person on polling day? Learn more about what to expect when you go to
the polling station.


APPLY TO VOTE BY PROXY

Can't get to the polling station on polling day? Ask a trusted person to vote on
your behalf and apply for a proxy vote.


REGISTER TO VOTE

All you need to register to vote is 5 minutes and your National Insurance
number.


APPLY TO VOTE BY POST

Can't get to the polling station on polling day? Apply to vote by post by
downloading and completing the application form.


SUPPORTING OTHERS


SUPPORTING PEOPLE TO MEET THE VOTER ID REQUIREMENT

We know that some groups are more likely to experience barriers created by the
voter ID requirement and may need support to access photo ID.

Organisations working directly with voters, including local authorities and
charities, can help voters make sure they have photo ID ahead of any election
where this requirement applies.

We have produced a set of resources for use in England and Wales ahead of the
elections on 2 May 2024. These resources will help organisations raise
awareness, and support voters with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate,
if needed. This pack also includes information on voter registration, and
information tailored to the needs of specific groups.

A generic set of resources with information relevant to any election requiring
photo ID is also available. 

We have also published bespoke resources to support people who are registered to
vote anonymously, or who might benefit from doing so. 

We have also published bespoke resources to support people who are registered to
vote anonymously, or who might benefit from doing so.

Explore our partner resources for the elections on 2 May 2024

Explore our generic resources which apply to any election requiring voter ID


SUPPORTING OTHERS


SUPPORTING PEOPLE TO MEET THE VOTER ID REQUIREMENT

We know that some groups are more likely to experience barriers created by the
voter ID requirement and may need support to access photo ID.

Organisations working directly with voters, including local authorities and
charities, can help voters make sure they have photo ID ahead of any election
where this requirement applies.

We have produced a set of resources for use in England and Wales ahead of the
elections on 2 May 2024. These resources will help organisations raise
awareness, and support voters with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate,
if needed. This pack also includes information on voter registration, and
information tailored to the needs of specific groups.

A generic set of resources with information relevant to any election requiring
photo ID is also available. 

We have also published bespoke resources to support people who are registered to
vote anonymously, or who might benefit from doing so. 

We have also published bespoke resources to support people who are registered to
vote anonymously, or who might benefit from doing so.

Explore our partner resources for the elections on 2 May 2024

Explore our generic resources which apply to any election requiring voter ID


SUPPORTING OTHERS


SUPPORTING PEOPLE TO MEET THE VOTER ID REQUIREMENT

We know that some groups are more likely to experience barriers created by the
voter ID requirement and may need support to access photo ID.

Organisations working directly with voters, including local authorities and
charities, can help voters make sure they have photo ID ahead of any election
where this requirement applies.

We have produced a set of resources for use in England and Wales ahead of the
elections on 2 May 2024. These resources will help organisations raise
awareness, and support voters with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate,
if needed. This pack also includes information on voter registration, and
information tailored to the needs of specific groups.

A generic set of resources with information relevant to any election requiring
photo ID is also available. 

We have also published bespoke resources to support people who are registered to
vote anonymously, or who might benefit from doing so. 

We have also published bespoke resources to support people who are registered to
vote anonymously, or who might benefit from doing so.

Explore our partner resources for the elections on 2 May 2024

Explore our generic resources which apply to any election requiring voter ID

Your location: England

Change
England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Overseas
We’re showing you content for England . Select ‘change’ to choose a different
location.


RELATED CONTENT


ACCEPTED FORMS OF PHOTO ID

Learn about the different types of photo ID that will be accepted at elections
that require photo ID


APPLYING FOR A VOTER AUTHORITY CERTIFICATE

Learn more about how to apply for a free voter ID document known as a Voter
Authority Certificate


VOTING IN PERSON

Voting in person on polling day? Learn more about what to expect when you go to
the polling station.


REGISTER TO VOTE

All you need to register to vote is 5 minutes and your National Insurance
number.


FOOTER CONTENT


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