New Voter Photo ID Required
Published on 25 April 2023 01:08 PM
New photo ID Requirements for Voters
You may have heard of new rules, which mean that when you vote at a polling station you will need to provide an acceptable form of photo ID, before you can be issued with your ballot paper. The change will take affect for local elections taking place on 4th May (in Tewkesbury, Cotswold and Forest of Dean Districts), and for all future local and national elections.
Casting your vote is important and this new rule shouldn't prevent you from voting. If you have no valid form of photo ID there are some simple steps you can take. Here’s what you need to do:
What Photo ID can I use:
- Passport
- Photo driving licence
- Blue Badge
- Bus pass and some other concessionary travel cards
- Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- Biomentric Immigration document
- Defence Identity Card
- Certain national identity cards
Does the ID need to be current?
No! Out of date/expired documents can be used, as long as the photo still looks like you!
What if I don’t have photo ID?
- Consider whether you are eligible for any of the forms of ID listed above. Our Help Team can give you information about blue badge or bus passes
- You can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, which is an accepted form of identification
You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if:
- You do not have suitable photo ID
- You no longer look like the photo on your ID
- The name on your photo ID does not match your name on the electoral register
How do I apply for a Voter Authority Certificate?
You can apply online or by filling in and returning a paper copy of the form
- gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID
- For a paper application form contact 01684 272025 or 0800 328 0280
What will you need to make your application?
- A suitable, recent digital photo
- Your current address
- Your date of birth
- Your National Insurance Number.
If you don’t have your National Insurance Number you can still register, but will need some other documents to prove your identity (such as birth certificate, bank statement/utility bills)
I have a Postal Vote, do I still need photo ID?
- No photo ID is required and postal ballot papers will be issued as normal
More information is available at www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need
If you would like help applying for your Voter Authority Certificate, please contact our Help Team on 01452 422660 or HelpTeam@ageukgloucestershire.org.uk