Voting in elections: what to do if you don't have photo ID
The local elections in May will be the first time that all voters in England need to have a form of photo ID in order to cast their ballot in person. For those without photo ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.
This article applies to in-person voting. There are different rules for postal voting or voting by proxy.
May's local elections in England will be the first time that anyone intending to vote in person will need to display a valid form of photo ID. Documents that will be accepted include: passports, driving licences, Government issued bus passes and travel cards.
This has raised a number of concerns from charities and disability groups, especially in circumstances where a person doesn't have a common form of ID - like a driving licence.
People with uncontrolled seizures can not legally drive. We also know that some people with epilepsy do not have passports.
If this applies to you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible for a Voter Authority Certificate, which can serve as your photo ID.
You can do so on the Gov.uk website.
This is free of charge. You will need a National Insurance Number and a recent photo, and this certificate can only be used for voting - not as a form of ID for any other reason.
Voting is a democratic right and it is important that nobody with epilepsy is stopped from exercising this right.
What do the changes mean?
* These instructions apply to in-person voting. There are different rules for voting via post or via proxy. *
In England:
You will need photo ID to vote in all elections, including: local elections (district, council, mayoral), police and crime commissioner elections, and UK Parliament elections (general elections and by-elections)
In Wales
You will need photo ID for UK Parliament elections (general elections and by-elections) and police and crime commissioner elections
In Scotland
You will need photo ID for UK Parliament elections (general elections and by-elections)
In Northern Ireland
Photo ID has been mandatory since 2003