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Voter ID

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections. This new requirement will apply for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.

Remember before you can vote, or apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, you must be on the Electoral Register. If you are not on this already, or need to amend your details as you recently moved house, then register now. You can do it online, or by contacting our electoral registration team. 

Which forms of ID can I use to vote?

You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable.  You can use any of the following:

  • Passport
  • Driving licence (including provisional license)
  • Blue badge
  • Certain concessionary travel cards
  • Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
  • Biometric Immigration document
  • Defence identity card
  • Certain national identity cards

For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit the  electoral commission website or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

If you don’t have an accepted form photo ID

If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply for this at government website .

Alternatively, you can complete a paper application form and send this to our electoral services team at our Allerdale House offices. Contact us to get a form sent to you.

You can also contact us to arrange a meeting with one of the electoral services team members to complete the form in person.

Find out more

If you have any questions or would like to find out more, go to electoral commission , or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

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Voting and voter registration
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