Voter ID Requirements from May 2023
From May 2023, voters must show an accepted form of photographic identification (photo ID) at a polling station before they are given a ballot paper.
This affects voters across Maldon District who vote in person or by proxy.
Postal voters are not be required to provide photo ID when voting by post.
Accepted forms of photo ID
You may use the following forms of photo ID 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 European Economic Area (EEA) state or a Commonwealth country
- Photographic driving licence issued by the UK, any of the 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)
- Blue Badge
- Older Person's Bus Pass
- Disabled Person's Bus Pass
- Oyster 60+ Bus Pass
- Freedom Pass
- Voter Authority Certificate or temporary Voter Authority Certificate
What should I do if I don't have one of these forms of ID?
If you do not have any of the accepted photo ID, and you want to vote in person at the polling stations, you will need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
This is a free photographic identity document that can only be used for the purpose of voting.
Applications for Voter Authority Certificates will open from 16th January 2023. Further information and links to the online application page will be published on this webpage once applications have opened.
You will be asked to provide:
- Date of birth
- National Insurance number
- Clear photograph of your head and shoulders
Applications will be accepted online, by post or in person.
The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate in time for the local elections on 4 May 2023 is 5pm Tuesday 25th April 2023.
Postal Voting and Voter ID
Postal voters will not be affected by the requirement to provide photo ID at the polling station.
Proxy Voting and Voter ID
If you vote by proxy, the person that votes on your behalf will need to provide their own accepted photo ID at the polling station. If they do not provide a valid form of ID, they will not be permitted to vote on your behalf.
Frequently asked questions:
Will photocopies or a picture of identification be accepted?
No, you must present an original form of photo ID. A photograph or photocopy will not be accepted as photo-editing software could be used to edit them, making them susceptible to fraudulent alteration.
My photo ID has expired, what should I do?
Expired photo ID is still accepted, as long as the photograph is still a good likeness of you.
My name on the electoral register is different from the name on my photo ID, what should I do?
The decision on whether an identification document bearing a different name or an alternative spelling of a name from the one on the register can be accepted will be at the discretion of the polling station staff, who must be satisfied that the identification provided is acceptable.
If your name has changed, for example through marriage, you may be required to provide further proof of identity, such as a marriage certificate, providing evidence of a name change.
What should I do if my ID is lost, stolen or damaged close of polling day?
If this happens before the deadline for applications for a Voter Authority Certificate, you may apply for one.
If this happens after the deadline, you may apply for an emergency proxy up until 5pm on polling day. This is when you will nominate someone that you trust to go to the polling station to vote on your behalf.
What should I do if I can't provide a digital photograph to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate?
If you are unable to provide a digital photo, then you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate via a paper application form and provide a physical photograph with that application. An online application cannot be made if you do not have (or cannot take) a digital photo. If you are unable to take a photograph yourself, you can contact the Electoral Services Office and you can arrange for them to take a photograph for you.
For more help and advice go to the Electoral Commission website.
If you need help making an application, please contact the Elections team at elections@maldon.gov.uk.