Voter ID resources for the May 2025 local elections in England
Supporting people with the voter ID requirement
In the UK voters are legally required to show photo identification (ID) when voting at a polling station at some elections, this includes the local elections in England on 1 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.
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 when the requirement applies.
We have created a range of resources to support people to register to vote, identify which forms of photo ID are accepted when voting, and to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if needed. This pack includes 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.
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. Find our resources for anonymous voters here.
May local elections in England
On 1 May, local elections will take place in some areas of England.
Resources available include:
- Guide to Elections
- An A5 summary ‘insert’ for voters
- Posters
- Social media graphics and template social copy
- Website and newsletter copy
- Press resources
Guide to Elections

Download the Guide to Elections
Our Guide to Elections provides the key information voters need to be able to vote, including information on the voter ID requirement.
The guide contains information on:
- Registering to vote, including how to register without a fixed address
- The voter ID requirement
- Which elections require photo ID
- Accepted forms of ID
- Applying for a Voter Authority Certificate
- What to expect at the polling station
- Other ways to vote; voting by post or proxy
Guide to Elections - versions available
Information is also available in the following accessible formats:
You can also watch the BSL Guide to Voter ID on our YouTube channel.
An Easy Read guide to the 1 May elections will be made available in due course.
Insert

Our A5 summary insert can be included in mailings to voters, such as council tax bills or annual canvass communications. The insert has been designed as a template that councils can use to share information on their upcoming elections with voters in their area.
If you are a local authority and would like to add your council logo and insert details of an upcoming election, please contact [email protected] to request the design files for the template.
Posters

Use our posters to raise awareness of the voter ID requirement, including the ability to apply for free voter ID.
Please note: The deadline to apply for free voter ID for use at the 1 May 2025 local elections is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025. The posters which encourage people to apply for free voter ID should therefore not be used after this date.
Web and newsletter copy
Download web and newsletter copy
Use our template copy to share information about the voter ID requirement and how to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate on your website and in newsletters.
Press resources
Use our press resources to raise awareness of the voter ID requirement in your local area.
Social media posts and graphics
Download the ready to post social copy
Download the ready to post social graphics
Use our template copy to share key messages about the voter ID requirement on your social channels.
Ready to post graphics are available for Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. These can also be shared through community WhatsApp groups.
Please note: The deadline to apply for free voter ID for use at 1 May 2025 local elections is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025. The social media assets which encourage people to apply for free voter ID should therefore not be used after this date.