Voter ID

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID at some elections.

In Northern Ireland, voters have been required to show ID when voting since 1985, and photo ID since 2003.

The new requirement does not change this.

The only acceptable forms of ID in Northern Ireland are:

• UK, Irish or EEA driving licence (photo part) (provisional accepted)
• UK, Irish or EU passport (incl. Irish Passport Card) (EU passports are not accepted at UK Parliamentary elections)
• Translink Half Fare SmartPass
• Translink Senior SmartPass
• Translink 60+ SmartPass
• Translink War Disablement SmartPass
• Translink Registered Blind SmartPass
• Biometric Immigration Document OR
• Electoral Identity Card

The last option - the Electoral Identity Card - is solely for electors who have not got one of the other means (see list above) of photographic voter identification.

The ID can be expired, but staff at the polling station must be satisfied that you are the person in the photograph on the ID.

Find out more about what photo ID is accepted and how to apply for an Electoral Identity Card on the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland website.

Voters in England need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in all elections.

This includes:

• UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and recall petitions
• Local elections and by-elections
• Police and Crime Commissioner elections

Find out more about accepted forms of photo ID, how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, and what to expect on polling day.

Voters in Wales need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.

This applies to:

• UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and recall petitions
• Police and Crime Commissioner elections

Find out more about accepted forms of photo ID, how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, and what to expect on polling day.

Voters in Wales will not need to show photo ID to vote at a polling station at Senedd elections or local council elections.

Voters in Scotland need to show photo ID to vote at polling places in some elections.

This applies to UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and recall petitions. 

Find out more about accepted forms of photo ID, how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, and what to expect on polling day.

Voters in Scotland will not need to show photo ID at Scottish Parliament elections or at council elections.

Overseas voters in the UK on polling day need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations.

This applies to UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and recall petitions.

Find out more about accepted forms of photo ID, how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, and what to expect on polling day.

If you arrive at a polling station without an accepted form of photo ID, you will be asked to return with ID that is accepted.

Polling stations will display the list of accepted photo ID and polling station staff will be trained on what types of ID are accepted. If you think your ID has been mistakenly rejected, you should notify the Presiding Officer in the polling station. If this does not resolve the issue, you can raise your concerns with the Returning Officer. Find the contact details for your Returning Officer.

Although you can’t appeal against the Presiding Officer’s decision to refuse to issue a ballot paper if they have rejected a particular form of ID, you can return to the polling station with a different form of ID later in the day and reapply for a ballot paper.

Polling station staff will complete a form to record that a ballot paper couldn’t be issued, and the reason why.

The total number of voters who later return with accepted ID and are issued with a ballot paper will also be recorded. 

If you arrive at a polling place without an accepted form of photo ID, you will be asked to return with ID that is accepted.

Polling stations will display the list of accepted photo ID and polling station staff will be trained on what types of ID are accepted. If you think your ID has been mistakenly rejected, you should notify the Presiding Officer in the polling station. If this does not resolve the issue, you can raise your concerns with the Returning Officer. Find the contact details for your Returning Officer.

Although you can’t appeal against the Presiding Officer’s decision to refuse to issue a ballot paper if they have rejected a particular form of ID, you can return to the polling station with a different form of ID later in the day and reapply for a ballot paper.

Polling place staff will complete a form to record that a ballot paper couldn’t be issued, and the reason why.

The total number of voters who later return with accepted ID and are issued with a ballot paper will also be recorded.