From May 2023, all voters will be required to show an accepted form of photographic identification (photo ID) at a polling station before they are given a ballot paper.

This will affect all voters across Charnwood who vote in person or by proxy, at the next local election on Thursday May 4, 2023. You are not required to provide photo ID for postal voting.

Photo ID you can use

Voters must bring a suitable form of photographic ID to their polling station. Acceptable forms of photo ID will include:

  • 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
  • Photographic driver’s licence issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (including provisional)
  • European Economic Area (EEA) photographic ID Card
  • Biometric immigration document
  • An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card)
  • Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card
  • A Blue Badge
  • Older Person’s Bus Pass
  • Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
  • Oyster 60+ Card
  • Freedom Pass

Only original documents are accepted; scanned images or copies will not be accepted. However, if your photo ID has expired it will be accepted as long as the photograph is still a good likeness to you. See full list of photo ID accepted in our Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

No suitable photo ID?

If you do not have any of the accepted photo ID, and you want to vote at the polling station, you will need to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. This is a free photographic identification document specific for the purposes of voting.

You will be able to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate in person, by post or online through GOV.UK. We recommend that you apply for a Voter Authority Certificate in good time. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate in time for the local elections in May 2023 is 5pm on Tuesday April 25, 2023.

Voters who do not produce a Voter Authority Certificates, or valid photo identification will not be allowed to vote on the day.

You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate through the GOV.UK website by clicking on the link below.

Apply online for Voter Authority Certificate

Alternatively, an application form is available to download: Application form for Voter Authority Certificate (PDF Document, 0.2 Mb). We will accept scanned copies of applications for Voter Authority Certificates via our online contact form. Paper applications may also be posted or handed in to the Council Offices.

Alternatively, if you would like a paper copy of the application form sent to you in the post, please contact the elections team online or call 01509 634546.

Postal and Proxy Voters

Postal voters will not be affected and will be issued with their postal ballot papers as usual. If you choose to vote by proxy then the person who you have trusted to vote on your behalf will have to take their own identification to be issued with a ballot paper.

Last updated: Mon 20th February, 2023 @ 15:44