Voters will need to show an approved form of photographic identification before they can collect their ballot paper to vote in a polling station. Fylde Council has therefore issued this information to local residents. ‘Elections are taking place across England on 4th May. You’ll need to bring photo ID to vote at a polling station. Check if your ID is accepted at http://ow.ly/eMWc50Mptvb’

From October 2023 the need to show an approved form of photographic information will also apply to UK General elections.

Here is a summary of the information provided by the Electoral Commission under the heading ‘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

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
• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
• Oyster 60+ Card
• Freedom Pass
• Scottish National Entitlement Card
• 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Senior Smart Pass issued in Northern Ireland
• Registered Blind Smart Pass or Blind Person’s Smart Pass issued in Northern Ireland
• War Disablement Smart Pass issued in Northern Ireland
• 60+ Smart Pass issued in Northern Ireland
• Half Fare Smart Pass issued in Northern Ireland

Proof of age

• Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

Other government issued documents

• Biometric immigration document
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• National identity card issued by an EEA state
• Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
• Voter Authority Certificate
• Anonymous Elector’s Document

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.

Out of date photo ID

• You can still use your photo ID if it’s out of date, as long as it looks like you.

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