From 4 May 2023, voters in England will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections. This will apply to:

• Local elections
• Police and crime commissioner elections
• UK parliamentary by-elections
• Recall petitions
• Referendums

From October 2023 it will also apply to UK general elections. For a list of current vacancies visit our vacancies and by-elections pages.

Voters at the polling station will need to show just one of the accepted forms of photo ID. If you don't have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a voter authority certificate.  Further information about voter ID documents can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.

The requirement to have photographic ID only affects people voting in person at a polling station. It doesn't affect postal voters who have their identification verified by their signatures and date of births.

Find out more by visiting the Electoral Commission’s website.

The answers to some frequently asked questions about voter ID requirements can be found here.

United Response publishes easy-read guides to elections and voting. Please visit My Vote My Voice for further information.