Get your photo ID: How to make sure you're ready to vote in May's local elections

On Thursday 4 May 2023, local authorities across England, Wales and Scotland will be holding elections. These include local government, mayoral and parish council elections in England.

When you vote, you help choose who represents you and makes decisions on your behalf. Check which elections you’re eligible to vote in.

From May, voters in England will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections. This is a new requirement, introduced by the Elections Act, which was passed last year.

To be able to cast your vote, make sure you have a suitable photo ID or get one as soon as possible.

What kinds of photo ID are accepted?

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. Accepted types include:

• 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 (this includes a provisional driving licence)
• Blue Badge (disabled parking scheme)
• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
• Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
• Biometric immigration document
• National identity card issued by an EEA state

The full list is available on the Electoral Commission website.

If you don’t have one of these photo IDs, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. To vote in May using a Voter Authority Certificate, you must apply for one by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April. You will need to provide a photo, full name, date of birth, the address at which you are registered to vote and your National Insurance number.

Also, the National Union of Students has teamed up with CitizenCard to offer students a free PASS-accredited ID card (usually £15) using the code NUS.

How to know if you are on the electoral register

The deadline to register to vote was 17 April. If you are already on the electoral register (some students did this as part of our university registration process), you should have received a polling card at your registered address recently.

If you need to check if you are registered at a UK address, you should contact the Electoral Registration Office that covers your local area.