Voter ID

In April 2022, the Elections Act 2022 was granted royal assent. The Act brought major changes to the way elections are run.

When you vote in person at a polling station, you will now need to show photographic identification (photo ID).

Absent (postal and proxy) voters will not be affected by this change. However, if you vote by proxy, the person who votes on your behalf will need to take their photo ID with them.

Which photo ID can I use to vote in person?

The most commonly used and accepted forms of photo ID include:

• passports issued by:
  • the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
  • a British Overseas Territory
  • a European Economic Area (EEA) state
  • a Commonwealth country
• photographic driver's licences (including provisional) issued by:
  • the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
  • an EEA state
• EEA photo ID cards
• biometric residence permits
• identity cards with the PASS Scheme hologram
• Blue Badges
• 60+ Oyster photocards
• concessionary travel passes funded by the government, or a local authority. Examples include:
• older person's bus passes
• disabled person's bus passes
• travel cards from Wales or Northern Ireland

Only original documents are accepted. Scanned images, or copies, will not be accepted.

Can I use photo ID that has expired?

Expired photo ID is accepted, if the photo is still a current likeness (and it is an accepted form of photo ID).

I do not have photo ID, but I would like to vote in person

If you do not have an accepted form of photo ID and you would like to vote in person, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

You will need a recent, digital photo of yourself and your National Insurance number.

Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate

You can also apply via a paper application form instead, if you prefer. Please email elections@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk

Other changes to elections

The Act has also brought changes to:

• absent voting
• voting and candidacy rights of EU citizens
• the rights of overseas electors