Residents urged to check they have Photo ID to vote in May local elections

Published: 1 February 2023

Along with all other areas of the UK residents in Exeter will for the first time need to show photographic ID to vote in the local elections on 4 May.

Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote by checking they have an accepted form of ID such as a passport, drivers’ licence and some concessionary travel passes like an older person’s bus pass.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can now apply for free ID online at Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or by completing a paper application form and sending it to Exeter’s electoral services team.

Anyone needing help with applying for the free ID, or wanting to request an application form, can  contact the electoral services team in Exeter on 01392 265141 or by email at  electoral.services@exeter.gov.uk.

The new requirement was introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act which was passed at the end of last year.

Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, is available at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id