Voters in the UK who lack the correct photo identification for the upcoming General Election on July 4 have only a few hours left to apply for a special ID certificate. This year marks the first time that all individuals wishing to vote in person at a general election will be required to present an acceptable form of ID before casting their ballot.
Not all types of photo ID will be accepted at polling stations, but valid forms include a passport, driving licence, or blue badge. Other acceptable IDs include an Older Person’s or Disabled Person’s Bus Pass and an identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card).
The Electoral Commission has emphasized the importance of having the correct ID, tweeting: “You won’t be able to vote in person without showing accepted ID.”
People in England, Scotland, or Wales without the correct identification have until 5pm on Wednesday to apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. This can be done online at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.
The deadline for voters in Northern Ireland is also on Wednesday, but at the later time of 11:59pm.
Craig Westwood, director of communication, policy, and research at the Electoral Commission, said:
“Anyone who needs it should get their application in as soon as they can. The free ID ensures that everyone can take part in the general election, even if they don’t currently have an accepted form of photo ID. It is quick and easy to apply and there is information and support available from the Electoral Commission and your local authority. At every polling station, voters can ask to have their ID checked in private if they wish and polling station staff will check ID sensitively.”
Applications for voter ID certificates have surged in recent days, with 16,392 submissions in the week ending June 24 and 16,619 in the week to June 17, according to government data. Both figures are more than double the 7,795 applications submitted in the week to June 10.
Photo ID Requirements
The photo ID rules were introduced as part of the Elections Act 2022, which the government said was necessary to combat the risk of in-person voter fraud. The requirements were first enforced at the May 2023 local council elections in England. A report by the Electoral Commission in June 2023 estimated that at least 0.25% of people who tried to vote at a polling station in those elections were not issued with a ballot paper due to the ID rules – equivalent to approximately 14,000 voters.
Voter ID has been mandatory for elections in Northern Ireland since 2002.
Proxy Vote Deadline
Wednesday is also the deadline for people in England, Scotland, or Wales to apply for a proxy vote in the election. A proxy vote allows someone else to cast your vote on your behalf. Applicants need to provide a reason why they cannot vote in person, such as being on holiday, away with work, or unable to travel to a polling station due to a disability. The deadline for people in Northern Ireland to apply for a proxy vote has already passed.
For more information, visit the Electoral Commission website.
