Voter ID – What You Need to Know About Photo Identification to Vote in England

From 4 May 2023 voters in England will need to show approved photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections. This voter ID will be required in local elections, Police and Crime Commissioner Elections, UK parliamentary by-elections and Recall petitions. Then from October 2023 it will also apply to UK General Elections.

Personally I only happened to hear about this on an advert. After speaking to others it would appear that it isn’t common knowledge. There are many reasons that it is a bad idea. An unfair system. One that may either put pressure on the polling stations, or see them empty. It may be a sneaky way to start introducing National identity cards. Either way it’s happening so better that people are informed.

The information I have found applies to England. Please check what the situation is in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

What is Accepted Photo Voter ID

There are a variety of different types of Voter ID that will be acceptable and they have categorised them on the website. If a voter does not have the listed ID then they can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. This is free in theory but does require a photo to be provided.

This may all seem like too much effort and put people off registering to vote at all, or bothering to vote.

• 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 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
• Oyster 60+ Card
• Freedom Pass
• Proof of age card – Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
• Biometric immigration document
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• National identity card issued by an EEA state
• Anonymous Elector’s document
• Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Voter ID Issued Outside of England

• Scottish National Entitlement Card
• 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Senior 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
• Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland

Out of Date ID

You can still use your photo ID if it’s out of date, as long as it looks like you. However, the name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.

What if you do not have Valid Photo Voter ID

As above, if you do not have accepted photo ID then you can apply for a free voter ID document, this is known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

How to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate

First you must be registered to vote. When you register you will be asked whether you have photo ID or if you want to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

If you need one for the Local Elections in England on 4^th May 2023 then the deadline to apply is Tuesday 25^th April 2023.

You can apply online from late January. Alternatively you can fill in a paper application and send it to your local council. To request an application form contact your local council. If you have any problems then call the helpline 0800 328 0280.

What you will need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate

• Name – You should apply using the same name that you used to register to vote.
• address
• date of birth
• You will not need to provide your gender, and your certificate will not have a gender marker.
• National Insurance number. This can be found on payslips, official letters about tax, pensions or benefits.

If you do not know your National Insurance Number (or don’t have one)

You can still apply without a National Insurance number if you provide other forms of proof of identity, such as a birth certificate, bank statement and a utility bill. Your local council will contact you to arrange this.

Without any accepted proof of identity you will need to ask someone you know to confirm your identity: This is known as an attestation. 

You Must provide a Photograph

You will need to submit a photo with your application. The requirements for the photo are similar to the requirements for a passport photo. If you need help taking a photo, then your local council will be able to do this for you.

To be accepted the photo you provide must meet certain requirements in terms of style, quality and size. This can be done online or by using the paper form.

What Next

The council was process your application and send your Voter Authority Certificate by post. There will also be instructions on how to use it. They do not have an expiry date but are recommended to be replaced every 10 years.

If you’re registered to vote anonymously and want to vote in person, you’ll need to apply for an Anonymous Elector’s Document.

People who are likely to Face Barriers to voting in English Elections due to Voter ID

It is acknowledged that some people are more likely to face barriers to voting in English elections due to voter ID.

Those who need support to access photo ID have organisations to help. These include local authorities and charities. There are also packs made to help.

These include the following people:

• Disabled
• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
• Older people
• The homeless
• Anonymous voters
• Trans and non-binary people

Elections Hopes and Dreams