Guide Launched Ahead of Changes to Elections

Date posted: 6th March 2023

The government has recently introduced a requirement for voters to show photo identification when voting at a polling station at some elections.

We’ve worked closely with the Electoral Commission and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to highlight the concerns of blind and partially sighted voters and to make the new requirements as accessible as possible.

From 4 May, voters in England will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections, including this year’s local elections. This will apply to:

• Local elections
• Police and Crime Commissioner elections
• UK parliamentary by-elections
• Recall petitions
• From October 2023, it will also apply to UK general elections.

Individuals who don’t have an accepted photo ID can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

Ahead of the elections, TPT have worked closely with the Electoral Commission to produce a guide about the changes to voting.  It contains further information about accepted forms of photo ID, how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, and what to expect on polling day  and you can download it below.

Download the guide