How to vote

The government has passed new legislation which requires electors and proxies voting in person to provide photo identification in polling stations to vote. If you are voting on someone else’s behalf as their proxy, you only need to bring your own photo ID to the polling station.

Only the following forms of photo ID will be accepted:

• a passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state, or a Commonwealth country
• a driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state
• a biometric immigration document
• an identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
• a Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• a Blue Badge
• a national identity card issued by an EEA state
• an Older Person’s Bus Pass
• a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
• an Oyster 60+ Card
• a Freedom Pass
• a Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland
• a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
• a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
• a Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• a Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• a War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• a 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• a Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• an Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland 

Expired photographic identification documents can still be used as long as the photograph is still a good likeness of the elector.

If you don't have one of the forms of photo ID listed above, you can apply online for a free Voter Authority Certificate - GOV.UK , or, you can phone us on 01737 276 794 or email us at elreg@reigate-banstead.gov.uk to request a paper form.

complete and return a paper application by post to:

Electoral Services Office
Town Hall,
Castlefield Road,
Reigate
Surrey
RH2 0SH

Paper application forms are also available for you to download and print at home from the government website:

• Apply for a voter authority certificate by post if you’re living in the UK - GOV.UK

The deadline for applications for Voter Authority Certificates will be 5pm, 6 working days ahead of a poll. For the elections in May 2024 the Voter Authority Certificate application deadline is 5pm, Wednesday 24 April 2024.

Electors and Proxies voting in person who do not produce a Voter Authority Certificate or 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.