Voter ID resources

Voters are legally required to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections.

This requirement applies to UK Parliament by-elections and recall petitions, local elections in England, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales.

The requirement will apply to UK Parliament general elections from October 2023.

It does not apply at Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, or council elections taking place in Scotland or Wales.

Download our resources

Organisations working directly with voters, including local authorities and charities, can play an important role in supporting voters to ensure they have photo ID ahead of any election where the requirement applies.

We have published a ‘partner pack’ containing a generic set of resources for use in England, Scotland and Wales. These resources will help organisations raise awareness, and support voters with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate, if needed. This pack also includes information on voter registration, as well as information tailored to the needs of groups we know are more likely to experience barriers in meeting this requirement and who may need support to access photo ID.

The Pack contains:

A guide for staff and volunteers
A booklet for voters
An A5 insert summarising the requirement
Posters
Template web and newsletter copy
Template web banners and social media graphics and copy
Press resources

Download the Partner Pack

We have produced bespoke A5 inserts for local councils and Electoral Registration Officers in Scotland and Wales to communicate the new voter ID requirement to their residents.

Resources for anonymous voters

We have also published resources tailored to the needs of people who are registered to vote anonymously, or who might benefit from doing so, such as domestic violence survivors.

Download the Partner Pack for anonymous voters

Resources to support organisations ahead of the next UK Parliament general election, to which the voter ID requirement will apply from October 2023, will be published in due course.