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Photo ID required to vote at May elections


For the first time, you will need to show photographic identification to vote in polling stations at this year’s local elections. Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote in May by checking they have an accepted form of ID.

Those voting by postal vote do not need photographic ID.

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport, a UK, EEA or Commonwealth driver's licence, and some concessionary travel passes (such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card). Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online on the Government website or by completing a paper form.

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission's website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID.

Claire Hamilton, Chief Executive and Returning Officer at Dacorum Borough Council, said: “With elections taking place in Dacorum on Thursday 4 May 2023, it is important that those who want to vote make sure they have an accepted form of ID. It may seem early but checking now means you will be ready to vote in May.

“Those who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to our Electoral Services team. If you need any help with applying for the free ID or want to request an application form, please email er@dacorum.gov.uk or call 01442 228000.”

Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission, said: “Anyone voting at a polling station in England this May will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. It’s important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it.”

Anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must also be registered to vote. It only takes five minutes to register online on the Government's website. Voters wishing to apply to us for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote.

Showing photo ID at a polling station is a new requirement, introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act, which was passed last year and comes into effect for the first time this May.