A huge change is coming for voters this May.
Previously, in England, Scotland and Wales, you didn't need to take anything with you when visiting a polling station to vote. But from May 4, 2023, voters across the UK will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections and from October this will also apply to general elections.
Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis previously warned the importance of being able to vote as he said: "Voting is one of the biggest consumer decisions any of us will ever make. It affects our pockets, environment, locality and quality of living. So it’s important to vote, or you lose your right to whinge.”
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Here is everything you need to know about the new rules for voting, according to MoneySavingExpert.com.
What elections do I need photo ID for?
From Thursday, May 4, voters will need to show photo ID to vote in person in these elections:
- Local elections (in England)
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections (in England and Wales)
- UK parliamentary by-elections (in England, Scotland and Wales)
- Recall petitions (in England, Scotland and Wales)
Elections are taking place in England on May 4, 2023. However, the deadline to register to vote is 11.59pm on April, 17.
What types of photo ID will be accepted?
These forms of photo ID are accepted when voting at a polling station:
- 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)
- Driving licence (issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state, includes provisional driving licences)
-
PASS card (identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram)
- Biometric immigration document
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Blue Badge
- Older Person’s Bus Pass
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
- Oyster 60+ Card
- Freedom Pass
-
Scottish National Entitlement Card
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
What if my ID is out of date?
You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, but the photo needs to look like you and the name must be the same name you registered with to vote.
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