Photo ID you'll need to vote at a polling station
If you want to use a Voter Authority Certificate for the 2023 local and parish council elections, you must apply by 5pm on 25 April 2023.
You can only register yourself to vote. You can’t register a family member, even if they live in the same property.
Register to vote on GOV.UK
The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station.
This will affect all voters across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole who want to vote in person or by proxy, at the next local and parish council elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.
Accepted forms of photo ID
Many people will already have an acceptable form of photo ID. A full list of the different types of acceptable photo ID, are available on the Electoral Commission's website.
Out of date photo ID
You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.
If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID
You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, if:
- you don't have an accepted form of photo ID
- you're not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you
- you're worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker
You need to register to vote before applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.
Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate
If you need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or want to request a paper application form, please contact our electoral services team.
If you’ve changed your name
The name on your ID must match your name on the electoral register. If it does not, you’ll need to either:
- register to vote again with your new details
- take a document with you in addition to your photo ID that proves you’ve changed your name (for example, a marriage certificate) to the polling station.
Small differences do not matter. For example, if your ID says ‘Jim Smith’ instead of ‘James Smith’.
Showing ID as an anonymous elector
If you're registered to vote anonymously and want to vote in person, you'll need to apply for an Anonymous Elector Document.
Find out more about registering to vote anonymously and how to vote anonymously.
Voting by proxy
You’ll need to take your own ID when you go to vote on someone else’s behalf. You do not need to take theirs.
Voting by post
Postal voters will not be affected and will be issued with their postal ballot papers as usual.