District Council Elections

You’ll need photo ID to vote at district elections in May For the first time, you’ll need to show photographic ID to vote at this year’s district elections (on 4 May 2023). Or, even better, why not apply for a postal vote.  See link at the bottom of this page. Please make sure you’re ready to vote in May by checking that you have an accepted form of ID. Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth photo drivers’ licence*; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo. Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online from next week.

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.
Anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must also be registered to vote. It only takes five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Voters wishing to apply to their council for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote.

The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station, is a new requirement, introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act which was passed last year and comes into effect for the first time this May.
*Old-style UK paper driving licences without a photo cannot be accepted.

Link to postal vote application