The May 2023 local elections will be the first time that voters in the UK will be asked to show photo ID when voting at a polling station. The new requirement was introduced by the Government’s Elections Act, which was passed last year and comes into effect for the first time in May.
A range of photo ID will be accepted, including UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passports and drivers’ licenses, PASS ID cards (the national proof of age accreditation scheme), disabled parking blue badges and some concessionary travel passes, such as older person’s bus passes or Oyster 60/ cards. Expired ID is acceptable as long as the photograph is still a true likeness of the person.
Anyone without an accepted form of photo ID is urged to apply for a free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline is 5pm on 25th April in order to vote in any forthcoming elections.