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What photo ID will you need to vote in the local elections? What photo ID will you need to vote in the local elections?
(21 days later)
Everyone voting in person at the local elections on 1 May must show valid photo ID.Everyone voting in person at the local elections on 1 May must show valid photo ID.
Anyone without the correct ID will be turned away.Anyone without the correct ID will be turned away.
What are the voter ID rules?What are the voter ID rules?
Since May 2023, voters have had to show a valid form of photo ID at polling stations to vote in person at most elections.Since May 2023, voters have had to show a valid form of photo ID at polling stations to vote in person at most elections.
The rules apply to:The rules apply to:
UK general electionsUK general elections
all local elections in England, including those for mayors and the London Assemblyall local elections in England, including those for mayors and the London Assembly
all local referendums and parliamentary by-elections in Englandall local referendums and parliamentary by-elections in England
police and crime commissioner elections in England and Walespolice and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales
There is no need to show ID if voting:There is no need to show ID if voting:
for the Scottish or Welsh Parliamentfor the Scottish or Welsh Parliament
in local elections in Scotland or Walesin local elections in Scotland or Wales
Voters in Northern Ireland have had to show photo ID since 2003.Voters in Northern Ireland have had to show photo ID since 2003.
Who can vote in the May local elections?
Who is standing in my area?
What documents can you use as photo ID?What documents can you use as photo ID?
More than 20 forms of ID are accepted in England, Scotland and Wales, external, including:More than 20 forms of ID are accepted in England, Scotland and Wales, external, including:
passportspassports
driving licencesdriving licences
older or Disabled Person's bus passesolder or Disabled Person's bus passes
Oyster 60+ cardsOyster 60+ cards
Armed Forces Veteran Cards (from 1 May)Armed Forces Veteran Cards (from 1 May)
You can use out-of-date photo ID as long as you look the same.You can use out-of-date photo ID as long as you look the same.
If you wear a face covering, such as a medical mask or a veil worn on religious grounds, you will be asked to remove it briefly, external so polling station staff can check that your ID looks like you.If you wear a face covering, such as a medical mask or a veil worn on religious grounds, you will be asked to remove it briefly, external so polling station staff can check that your ID looks like you.
There are nine valid forms of ID, external in Northern Ireland, including:There are nine valid forms of ID, external in Northern Ireland, including:
passportspassports
driving licencesdriving licences
senior travel passessenior travel passes
war disablement passeswar disablement passes
What if you don't have an acceptable form of ID?What if you don't have an acceptable form of ID?
You can exchange a paper driving licence for a photocard, or apply for a photocard travel pass if you are aged 60 or over, disabled or registered blind or partially sighted.You can exchange a paper driving licence for a photocard, or apply for a photocard travel pass if you are aged 60 or over, disabled or registered blind or partially sighted.
Alternatively, anyone registered to vote, external without the correct ID - or who no longer looks like their photo - can apply for a free document called a voter authority certificate., externalAlternatively, anyone registered to vote, external without the correct ID - or who no longer looks like their photo - can apply for a free document called a voter authority certificate., external
The deadline to apply for a certificate to use in the 1 May elections is 17:00 BST on Wednesday 23 April. The deadline to apply for a certificate to use in the 1 May elections has now passed.
Voters in England whose ID is lost or stolen after the deadline can apply for an emergency proxy vote, external up until 17:00 on polling day.Voters in England whose ID is lost or stolen after the deadline can apply for an emergency proxy vote, external up until 17:00 on polling day.
Both they and their proxy - a person nominated to vote on their behalf - must already be registered to vote.Both they and their proxy - a person nominated to vote on their behalf - must already be registered to vote.
Voters in Northern Ireland who do not have the correct ID can use an electoral identity card, external.Voters in Northern Ireland who do not have the correct ID can use an electoral identity card, external.
Can I take children or pets to a polling station?Can I take children or pets to a polling station?
What happens if you can't show valid ID at the polling station?What happens if you can't show valid ID at the polling station?
If you go to the polling station without the correct ID, you will be asked to come back with valid documentation.If you go to the polling station without the correct ID, you will be asked to come back with valid documentation.
If you think your ID has been wrongly rejected, the Electoral Commission - which oversees UK elections - says you should notify the presiding officer at the polling station., external If this does not resolve the issue, you can raise your concerns with your council's returning officer.If you think your ID has been wrongly rejected, the Electoral Commission - which oversees UK elections - says you should notify the presiding officer at the polling station., external If this does not resolve the issue, you can raise your concerns with your council's returning officer.
Polling station staff record how many voters are turned away, as well as the number who return with valid ID.Polling station staff record how many voters are turned away, as well as the number who return with valid ID.
According to the commission:According to the commission:
0.2% of people trying to vote at a polling station in the May 2024 local elections were unable to because of the ID requirement0.2% of people trying to vote at a polling station in the May 2024 local elections were unable to because of the ID requirement
0.08% were turned away from polling stations at the general election because of a lack of ID0.08% were turned away from polling stations at the general election because of a lack of ID
Why do voters need photo ID?Why do voters need photo ID?
When the photo ID rules were introduced, the government said it would stop votes being stolen, although that is quite unusual in the UK.When the photo ID rules were introduced, the government said it would stop votes being stolen, although that is quite unusual in the UK.
There were 1,462 cases of alleged electoral fraud reported to police between 2019 and 2023, according to the latest figures from the Electoral Commission., externalThere were 1,462 cases of alleged electoral fraud reported to police between 2019 and 2023, according to the latest figures from the Electoral Commission., external
Of these, 11 involved impersonation at polling stations. One resulted in a conviction and one in a caution, and the police took no further action in the other nine cases.Of these, 11 involved impersonation at polling stations. One resulted in a conviction and one in a caution, and the police took no further action in the other nine cases.
The Electoral Commission has called on the government to expand the list of accepted ID and to allow voters to cast their ballot without ID if another registered voter could vouch for their identity.The Electoral Commission has called on the government to expand the list of accepted ID and to allow voters to cast their ballot without ID if another registered voter could vouch for their identity.