One of the key purposes of Citizens Advice is to ensure that people are aware of their rights and responsibilities. This month we want to ensure that everyone knows what they have to do if they want to vote in the May elections because the rules have changed.
The UK Government has introduced a new requirement for voters. From May 2023, you will need to show photographic identification at polling stations before being given a ballot paper to vote.
If you are a proxy, meaning you vote on behalf of someone else, you will also need to show a photo ID before you vote.
You must take the original document with you to the polling station, a scanned version, electronic version or a copy will not be accepted.
The following documents, including expired versions, will be accepted as long as the photo is a good enough likeness:
- A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, a European Economic Area (EEA) state or a Commonwealth country
- Photographic drivers licence (full or provisional) issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state
- EEA photographic ID card
- UK Biometric Residence Permit
- An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card)
- A blue badge
- Oyster 60+ card
- A concessionary travel pass funded by HM Government or local authority, such as an Oxfordshire County Council Bus pass, disabled persons bus pass, Welsh or Northern Ireland travel card.
If the name on your photo ID is different, you will need to update your details on the electoral register as soon as possible, or take a supporting document with you when you go to vote that proves that you have changed your name such as a marriage certificate.
Another way to vote is to vote by post. If you’re going to be away on election day or don’t have the photo ID required at the polling station, you can register for a postal vote instead. You can apply for a postal vote at any time during the year. There’s a short application form that you need to complete and return to Cherwell District Council but it must be done at least 4 weeks before polling day. A postal vote with instructions on how to complete it will then be sent to you to complete and return. When your postal vote is received, your signature and date of birth will be checked against the information on your application form. If the details match, the ballot paper will go into the main count at the end of election day.
If you usually vote in person in a polling station and you don’t have any of the accepted forms of photo ID and don’t want to use a postal vote then you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. This is a free photo ID document, specifically for the purposes of voting.
You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate via the Government’s website, and applications can be made online or via a paper application form that you can get from your local council. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate will be 5pm, 6 working days before polling day. For the elections taking place in May, this will be 5pm on Tuesday 25 April.
Voters who do not show permitted photo ID or a Voter Authority Certificate will not be allowed to vote on polling day. Don’t miss out!
As a charity, donations enable us to ensure more people know about their rights. If you wish to make a donation you can find details of how to do this on our website, or cheques can be sent to Citizens Advice North Oxfordshire, 26 Cornhill, Banbury OX165NG.
