Elections 2023 and Voter ID

01 Mar 2023 by Mazeline Hemmings

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections. This new requirement will apply for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday, 4 May 2023.

Many people may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:

  • 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 photo driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
  • A Blue Badge
  • Older Person’s Bus Pass
  • Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
  • Freedom Pass
  • Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
  • Biometric immigration document
  • Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
  • National identity card issued by an EEA state
  • Other documents

You can even use an expired form of ID, provided the picture still looks like you! If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. If you need ID to vote in the May 2023 elections, you must apply by 5 pm on Tuesday, 25 April 2023. For more information, please visit Sandwell Council’s website.

You can also call the Council’s Voter ID helpline on 0121 569 6999 or go into any Sandwell Library or Sandwell Council House in Oldbury for help to apply for free photo ID.

Information in other formats.

  1.  The Electoral Commission have also produced a range of information resources on Voter ID that have been created to support engagement with people with disabilities and other harder to reach audiences.
  2. See BSL video with information on the forms of ID that you can use to vote.