Free ID for Voting

Elections are going to be a bit different from now on. After trials including one election here in Derby, the govt is making it a legal requirement for people to take ID along when they go to the polling station.

The next elections will be the council ones in May where for the first time, all council seats will be voted on at the same time.

If you do not have suitable ID, then you can apply in advance to get the new National Identity Certificate that will allow you to vote. You need to be registered to vote whether you already have one of the forms of ID listed below or are going to apply for the certificate. Proxy voters who are voting on another person’s behalf will also have to show a voter ID.

Suitable ID is:

  • 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 (this includes a provisional driving licence)

  • A 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

  • Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

  • Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

  • War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

  • 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

  • Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

  • 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

  • Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland

  • Voter Authority Certificate

  • Anonymous Electors Document

More details on the change

Diana Bruce