Photo ID required at polling stations – everything you need to know about the changes being implemented

Central government has passed a law that will change the way we vote in Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections. This law is called the Elections Act 2022.

Please note: This law does NOT apply to Senedd and Local Government (Council and Community Council) Elections, as the legislation for these are set by Welsh Government.

Changes to Voting at polling stations: Photo ID required

You must now show Photo ID to vote at polling stations when there is a Parliamentary election or a Police and Crime Commissioner election.

This must be an approved form of photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s licence. Only original documents are accepted, scanned images or copies will not be accepted. However, if your photo ID has expired it will be accepted as long as the photograph is still a good likeness to you.

The most commonly used and accepted forms of ID include:

• Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA status or a Commonwealth country.
• Photographic driver’s licence issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
• European Economic Area (EEA) photographic ID card
• An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card)
• A Blue Badge
• Older Person’s Bus Pass
• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
• Oyster 60+ Card

What to do if you do not have an approved Photo ID?

If you do not have an approved ID, you will need to apply for a free ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ (VAC).

You can apply online for a VAC through the central government GOV.UK Voter Authority Certificate website.

You can also apply for a VAC by printing and filling in a paper form and sending it to our Electoral Registration Office at Cardiff Council, address below. Click here to download and print the form.

Electoral Services

Room 263, County Hall,

Atlantic Wharf,

Cardiff

CF10 4UW

You can email [email protected] or call 02920872087 to request a print of this form.

Our Electoral Services Team can assist you with your application, please get in touch for any help or if you need to attend the elections office in person for help with your application.

Once you receive your VAC, it will have no expiry date. However, it is advised that you renew your VAC (re-apply for a VAC) in 10 years to ensure the photo on the VAC remains a true likeliness of you.

The deadline to apply for a VAC will be 5pm, six working days before the date of election.

You will need to show your approved photo ID or VAC at polling stations from May 2023 onwards at Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

The next scheduled election in Cardiff where you will require to show photo ID or a VAC to vote will be the May 2024 Police & Crime Commissioner Election.  

Are you unsure if you hold valid and accepted form of Photo ID?

If you feel unsure whether the form of Photo ID you currently hold is accepted you can find more details on the accepted forms of ID by clicking here. Alternatively, you may contact our Electoral Registration Office via email: [email protected] or call 02920872087 for help.

Voting by Post or Proxy

If you choose to vote by post, you will not be affected and will be issued with your postal ballot papers as usual.

If you choose to vote by proxy, then the person who you have trusted to vote on your behalf will have to take their own photo identification to be issued with a ballot paper.