For the first time, voters will need to show photo ID when they vote in person at elections in England. 
 

This is a change being introduced by the UK Government and will apply to all future local elections: referendums, recall petitions and Police and Crime Commissioner elections from May 2023 and all UK Parliamentary General Elections from October 2023.  
 

These new requirements will not affect electors who vote by post. 

Voters are being asked to check in good time, whether they have an accepted form of ID and to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if they don’t.  
 

Accepted forms of ID include a driving licence, passport, as well as some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or a blue badge. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo. 
 

Voters can apply online at nland.cc/ID or by completing a paper form and sending this to their local council’s electoral services team.  
 

Mark Crawford, Elections Manager for Northumberland County Council said: 

“This is a new national requirement and in association with the work of the Electoral Commission, we will be doing everything we can to raise awareness of the need for Voter ID at all future elections. 
 

“Anyone voting at a polling station in England will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot papers. While there are no scheduled elections planned in 2023 in Northumberland, we would advise everyone to check they have appropriate ID and if not to apply for the free Voter Authority Certificate if needed, as soon as possible.” 
 

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for free voter ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID. 
 

If you have a query regarding Voter ID, or need help applying you can also contact the county council’s election team on 01670 624811 or by emailing elections@northumberland.gov.uk