Voter ID
Voter identification (ID) will be required for the first time in polling stations from May 2023. This means that electors will now be required to show photographic identification at polling stations before they are given a ballot paper.
This will affect all electors who vote in person or by proxy, at the next Borough, Town, and Parish Council elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.
Electors or their proxy must bring a suitable form of photographic ID to their polling station. The most commonly used forms of accepted ID include:
- passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA (European Economic Area) state or a Commonwealth country
- photographic driver’s licence issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (including provisional)
- European Economic Area 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
Only original documents are accepted; scanned images or copies will not be accepted however expired documents are accepted if the photo is still a current likeness.
See the full list of photo ID accepted:
No suitable photo ID?
If an elector or their proxy does not have an accepted form of ID and wants to vote at the polling station, they will need to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. This is a free photographic identification document solely for the purposes of voting.
You must be registered to vote or have applied to register to vote before applying for a Voter Authority Certificate. To apply, you will need your national insurance number and a recent digital photo of yourself.
You can apply online for a free Voter Authority Certificate - GOV.UK website, or, you can complete and return a paper application by post to the:
Electoral Services Office
Town Hall,
Castlefield Road,
Reigate
Surrey
RH2 0SH
Application forms are available to download from the government website:
The deadline for applications for Voter Authority Certificates will be 5pm, 6 working days ahead of a poll. For the elections in May 2023 the Voter Authority Certificate application deadline is 5pm, Tuesday 25 April 2023.
Electors who do not produce a Voter Authority Certificate or a suitable photographic ID will not be allowed to vote on the day.
Postal and proxy vote
Postal electors will not be affected and will be issued with their postal ballot papers as usual. If electors choose to vote by proxy, the proxy will need to take their own identification to the polling station.
For information on applying for a postal or proxy vote, see the Postal and proxy voting page.