Photo ID required for voting

Voter ID - what you need to know

From 4 May 2023, voters in England who wish to vote in person at a polling station (including those acting as a proxy on behalf of another individual) are now required to produce an accepted form of photo ID to prove their identity before they will be issued with a ballot paper.  This is a national change implemented as part of the Elections Act 2022.

This will apply at all elections held in Tewkesbury Borough:

• Local elections (borough and county council)
• Parish elections
• Neighbourhood planning referendums
• UK parliamentary elections (scheduled after 5 October 2023)
• Police and crime commissioner elections

Which forms of ID can I use to vote?

To vote in person you must be on the electoral register and bring an accepted form of photo ID to the polling station.  You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable.  The accepted forms of photo ID are:

• 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

For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit The Electoral Commission website.

Only original documents are accepted; scanned images or copies will not be accepted.

My ID is out of date - will it be acceptable?

Expired documents are accepted if the photo is still a current likeness of the elector.

I have changed my name – what do I need to do?

The name on your ID should be the same name as appears on the Electoral Register.

To change your name on the register of electors you can either:

• Update your name online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
• Provide us with a copy of your change of name evidence documents e.g.
  • Marriage or civil partnership certificate
  • Overseas marriage or civil partnership certificate
  • Amended birth certificate
  • Deed poll

You can provide the change of name evidence by emailing a scanned image or photo to Electoral Services or by sending the copy document(s) by post to: Electoral Services, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Public Services Centre, Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. GL20 5TT.

If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID

If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply for this here.

You will be asked for information to include:

• Your full name
• Your address at which you are registered
• Your date of birth
• Your National Insurance number
• A close-up photograph of your head and shoulders taken against a plain, light background – the requirements for the photograph can be obtained from The Electoral Commission website
• A declaration that the information is provided is true.

If you need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or want to request a paper application form, contact us on 01684 272025.

If I move house do I need to apply for a new Voter Authority Certificate?

Although you will need to register to vote at your new address, you will not need to request a new Voter Authority Certificate if you move house within the Borough or move to another local authority area. You will be able to use your Voter Authority Certificate in all polls across Great Britain – not just in the local authority that issued the Voter Authority Certificate, provided you are included on the Electoral Register for that Authority.

How can I check if I'm registered to vote?

If you are not sure if you are registered to vote, you can call us on 01684 272025.

Postal voting – will the changes to voter ID affect me?

Postal voters will not be affected and will be issued with their postal ballot papers as usual.

If you are registered to vote you can apply for a postal vote.

To download and print a postal vote application form visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-post

If you are unable to print the application form, contact Electoral Services to arrange for a paper form to be sent.

There are deadlines to apply for, amend or cancel a postal vote in the run up to an election.

You must re-apply for a postal vote if you move or change your name.

Proxy voting – will my proxy need to provide photo ID when voting on my behalf?

If you choose to vote by proxy then the person who you have appointed to vote on your behalf will have to take their own photo ID to the polling station to be issued with your ballot paper.

If are registered to vote but know that you won’t be able to get to your polling station on polling day you can apply for a proxy vote i.e., someone you trust is appointed to cast your vote for you.

To apply to vote by proxy you have to complete a form and give a reason why you can’t get to the polling station in person. You can download and print the relevant proxy application form www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-proxy

If you are unable to print the form, contact Electoral Services.

There are deadlines to apply for, amend or cancel a proxy vote in the run up to an election.