Photo ID needed to vote at May elections

On Thursday 4 May 2023, local elections are taking place in Bath and North East Somerset. Changes to national legislation mean that voters will need to show photo ID when voting in person at a polling station.

You also need to make sure you are registered to vote first.

Are you on the Electoral Register?

You can check if you are on the electoral register by calling 01225 477333 or emailing the elections office at Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The deadline to register to vote for the May elections is Monday 17 April. Residents can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate at the same time as registering to vote.

Postal Voting

Remember that the requirement to show photo ID only applies to people voting in person at a polling station. If you choose to vote by post, you will not need to provide photo ID as you will not be permitted to vote at a polling station.

Voting at a Polling Station – types of photo ID that will be acceptedA wide range of photo ID will be accepted, including

passport
photocard driving licence
blue badge
older person’s bus pass (including Diamond Travel Card)
disabled person’s bus pass.

The full list of accepted forms of photo ID can be found on the Electoral Commission website or by calling 0800 328 0280.You can still use your photo ID even if it has expired, providing that the name is the same as on the electoral register and the photo is recognisably you.

What to do if you don’t have photo ID

Voters who don’t have an accepted form of photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate on the Government website or by completing a paper application form.

To request a paper form to apply for the Voter Authority Certificate, please contact Bath & North East Somerset Council by calling 01225 477333 or get in touch by email.

From 27 February, you can also apply for a Voter Authority Certificate in person at Bath & North East Somerset Council’s One-Stop-Shops at Lewis House in Bath, the Library in Keynsham and The Hollies in Midsomer Norton.

To apply for the certificate, you need:

a passport-style photo*
full name
date of birth
the address at which you are registered to vote
your National Insurance number.

* if you are applying in person at the council offices, staff will be able to take a photograph to accompany your application.

The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for the 4 May elections is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April.

Age UK BANES is able to offer older people in our communities one to one support with applying online for voter photo ID.