Supporting people who are registered to vote anonymously with the voter ID requirement
In the UK, you are legally required to show photo identification (ID) when voting at a polling station at some elections, including the local elections taking place in some parts of England on 01 May 2025.
This requirement also applies to UK Parliament general elections, by-elections and recall petitions, all local elections in England, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales. It does not apply at Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, or council elections taking place in Scotland or Wales.
If someone feels that their name and address being on the electoral register could affect their safety, or the safety of someone in their household, they may be able to register to vote anonymously.
Unlike other voters who can use one of a range of different forms of photo ID, voters who are registered to vote anonymously and who wish to vote in person at a polling station are required to apply for a free Anonymous Elector's Document instead.
Download our resources
We have created resources to help people who are registered to vote anonymously, and the organisations such as local authorities and charities who support them, to meet the voter ID requirement. These resources also include information on who can register to vote anonymously, and how to do so.
We have also published resources for voters who do not need to vote anonymously. You can find our generic voter ID resources for the local elections in England on 1 May 2025 here.
Voter ID resources available
On 1 May local elections will take place in some areas of England.
Resources available for anonymous voters include:
- Guide to Election for anonymous voters
Website and newsletter copy
Guide to Elections
Download our Guide to Elections for Anonymous Voters
The Guide to Elections provides the key information people who are registered to vote anonymously, or who would benefit from being so, will need to understand and meet the voter ID requirement.
Contents include:
- What is anonymous registration?
- How to register to vote anonymously
- What to expect at the polling station
- Other ways to vote: voting by post or proxy