Photo ID required for voting

Voter ID - what you need to know

Voters in England who wish to vote in person at a polling station (including those acting as a proxy on behalf of another individual) are now required to produce an accepted form of photo ID to prove their identity before they will be issued with a ballot paper.

This will apply at all elections held in Tewkesbury Borough:

• Local elections (borough and county council).
• Parish elections.
• Neighbourhood planning referendums.
• UK parliamentary elections.
• Police and crime commissioner elections.

Which forms of ID can I use to vote?

To vote in person you must be on the electoral register and bring an accepted form of photo ID to the polling station.  You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable.

For more information on which forms of photo ID are acceptable visit The Electoral Commission website.

Only original documents are accepted; scanned images or copies will not be accepted.

My ID is out of date - will it be acceptable?

Expired documents are accepted if the photo is still a current likeness of the elector.

I have changed my name – what do I need to do?

The name on your ID should be the same name as appears on the Electoral Register.

To change your name on the register of electors you can either:

• Re-register in your new name online but please remember to provide your previous name on the application form; or
• Complete and return a ‘change of name request form’ and provide supporting evidence documents.

You can obtain the change of name request form by emailing Electoral Services or by calling 01684 272025.

If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID

If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

You will be asked for information to include:

• Your full name.
• Your address at which you are registered.
• Your date of birth.
• Your National Insurance number.
• A close-up photograph of your head and shoulders taken against a plain, light background – the requirements for the photograph can be obtained from The Electoral Commission website.
• A declaration that the information is provided is true.

If you need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or want to request a paper application form, contact us on 01684 272025.

If I move house do I need to apply for a new Voter Authority Certificate?

Although you will need to register to vote at your new address, you will not need to request a new Voter Authority Certificate if you move house within the Borough or move to another local authority area. You will be able to use your Voter Authority Certificate in all polls across Great Britain – not just in the local authority that issued the Voter Authority Certificate, provided you are included on the Electoral Register for that Authority.

How can I check if I'm registered to vote?

If you are not sure if you are registered to vote, you can call us on 01684 272025.

Postal voting – will I need to provide voter ID?

Postal voters are not affected by the voter ID requirements and will be issued with their postal ballot papers as usual.

Proxy voting – will my proxy need to provide photo ID when voting on my behalf?

If you choose to vote by proxy then the person who you have appointed to vote on your behalf will have to take their own photo ID to the polling station to be issued with your ballot paper.

If are registered to vote but know that you won’t be able to get to your polling station on polling day you can apply for a proxy vote, i.e. someone you trust is appointed to cast your vote for you.

To apply to vote by proxy you have to complete a form and give a reason why you can’t get to the polling station in person.

If you are unable to print the form, contact Electoral Services.

There are deadlines to apply for, amend or cancel a proxy vote in the run up to an election.