County Voice

County Voice: March 2024

Voting at Elections: ID Requirement

Voters in Wales need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.

This applies to:

  • UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and recall petitions
  • Police and Crime Commissioner elections

Voters in Wales will not need to show photo ID to vote at a polling station at Senedd elections or local council elections.

Accepted forms of photo ID

You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station.

International travel

  • Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card) 

Driving and Parking

  • Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
  • A Blue Badge

Local travel

  • Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
  • Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
  • Oyster 60+ Card funded by the funded by the UK Government
  • Freedom Pass
  • Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass)
  • 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

Other government issued documents

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.

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; https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

You need to register to vote before applying for a Voter Authority Certificate. 

Postal Vote and Proxy Changes

You can now apply online to vote by post and for some types of proxy vote. These changes apply to UK Parliament elections, including by-elections and recall petitions, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

You will be asked to provide your National Insurance number when applying, to prove your identity.

There are limits to how many people a voter can act as a proxy for. This means you can only act as a proxy for two people living in the UK. If you act as a proxy for people living overseas, you can act as proxy for up to four people but only two of these can be based in the UK.

The changes do not apply to Senedd and local council elections in Wales. For these elections you will still need to complete a paper application form.

If you are handing in your postal vote pack then you will be required to complete an additional form, otherwise your vote will be rejected.

For more information visit electoralcommission.org/waystovote or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

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