Requirement to show ID at polling stations

From 4 May 2023, voters in England, Scotland and Wales need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.

This applied to:

• Local elections and by-elections in England
• Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales
• UK parliamentary by-elections
• Recall petitions

From October 2023, it also applies to UK General elections.

Voters in Wales will need to show ID at Police and Crime Commissioner elections and at recall petitions. They will not need to show photo ID to vote at a polling station at Senedd elections or local council elections.

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

If voters don't have accepted photo ID, they can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

Support to voters 

As part of our duty to inform voters about democracy and elections, we are responsible for making sure that voters know they need to bring an accepted photo ID to vote. 

We launched a new public awareness campaign in January 2023. The campaign explains that voters need to show an accepted form of photo ID in polling stations, and the types of photo ID they can use. It also explains how and when voters can apply for the free Voter Authority Certificate, if they do not have an accepted form of ID.

We worked closely with civil society organisations to produce tailored resources for voters who we know are less likely to have the ID they need to vote.

Support to local authorities

We provided updated guidance and resources to support electoral administrators to deliver the new voter ID requirement. The guidance includes how to manage and process applications for the Voter Authority Certificate, and procedures for polling station staff to follow. 

We are also supporting local authority communications teams by providing a range of resources, such as template press releases and social media content, to help them to raise awareness of voter ID with their residents.

Political parties

We used a variety of channels to ensure that political parties and campaigners are aware of the new voter ID requirement, and how voters can apply for the free Voter Authority Certificate. This will include updates to the code of conduct for campaigners.