Voting will be very different this time (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Everyone voting in person in today’s local elections will notice a major change this time.
Instead of just giving your name at the desk and being handed a ballot paper for England’s local elections on May 4 – you’ll need to bring something with you to prove who you are.
It won’t be as simple as showing your debit card or a bill lurking in the bottom of your bag with your name on it, either.
So, what do you need to bring? Here’s what you need to know before heading to the polling station.
Do I need ID to vote?
Yes, you will need photo ID to vote – unless you’re voting by post.
If you want to vote, you’ll need to bring the right ID (Picture: Getty Images)
The change was introduced last April and currently covers:
England and Wales
Local elections
Police and Crime Commissioner elections
UK parliamentary by-elections
Recall petitions.
Scotland
UK parliamentary by-elections
Recall petitions
From October 2023, you will also need photo ID to vote in UK General Elections.
In Northern Ireland, voters have been required to show ID since 1985, and photo ID since 2003.
What ID is accepted?
You can show a passport or driving license provided it is issued in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, EEA state or a Commonwealth country (plus a British Overseas Territory for passports only).
Passports are among the accepted forms of ID (Picture: Getty)
Note that it doesn’t matter if your photo ID is out of date, so long as the picture looks like you.
There are also other forms of photo ID you can bring, such as:
What ID is accepcted?
Accepted forms of ID are (you’ll need originals, not photocopies):
A passport
A driving license
A Blue Badge
Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
Oyster 60+ Card funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
Freedom Pass
Scottish National Entitlement Card
60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s 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
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
Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
Voter Authority Certificate
Anonymous Elector’s Document
More: Trending
The introduction of voter ID has angered some people, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who claims it is being introduced by the Conservatives ‘for naked political advantage’.
Driving licenses can also be used (Picture: Getty)
But the government claims it is needed to help prevent electoral fraud and to ‘ensure the electoral system remains secure, transparent and fair for generations to come’.
What if I don’t have photo ID?
You’ll need to have applied for a Voter Authority Certificate by Tuesday, April 25.
To find out more and visit the Electoral Commission website.
Or if you’re registered to vote anonymously, and want to vote in person, you can apply for an Anonymous Elector’s Document.
The deadline for everyone to register to vote in England’s May 4 elections was 11.59pm on April 17.
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