Running electoral registration - England

Promotion of the application channels available for Voter Authority Certificates

Your own website and social media accounts will be key tools for amplifying the messages about the need to produce accepted forms of photographic ID when voting in person at polling stations at the relevant elections. 

Our website will contain information about the need for photographic ID when voting in person at a polling station at relevant elections, what types of ID are accepted and how to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if an elector does not have, or does not wish to use, any of the other forms of accepted photographic ID.

Promoting this information may help to reduce enquiries and questions, and where an applicant needs to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, make it easy for them to do so online. This may in turn make it simpler and more efficient for you to process applications. The online application portal has the following benefits for applicants including:

  • improved accessibility for individuals with particular communication needs, who may be able to complete the application more easily online, for example those with visual impairments who use electronic screen readers
  • assurance that the application that they have made is complete, as the online application portal will not allow incomplete applications to be submitted, for example applications cannot be submitted without an accompanying photograph 
  • providing assurance that the application is received which is particularly beneficial close to the deadline for applications ahead of any relevant election or petition

There are also benefits for you, including:

  • reduced need for manual data input
  • fewer errors due to the validation of information entered into the online application portal
  • no need to decipher handwriting
  • applications will be complete when received, reducing the need to follow up any missing information
  • photographs will need to be submitted in an acceptable resolution and format reducing the need to follow up 
  • not having to receive, open, scan and store a paper form and photograph
Last updated: 17 November 2022