Elections ID A5 Double Sided Flyer FINAL
Voter Identification Requirements
The Elections Act 2022 was granted Royal Assent and passed into law on 28th April 2022. The new legislation includes changes to absent voting rules, EU citizens’ voting rights, accessibility, voter identification and ‘votes for life’ for overseas electors. You can find out more about the Elections Act 2022 on GOV.UK and on the Electoral Commisson.
- You must bring photographic identification with you to vote in person in the May 2023 elections
- You are now required to show photographic identification at polling stations before you can be given a ballot paper.
- This will affect all voters across the district of Winchester who vote in person or by proxy, at the next local election on Thursday 4 May 2023.
- 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 photographic identification to be issued a ballot paper.
- Postal voters will not be affected and will be issued with their postal ballot papers as usual.
- Voters must bring a suitable form of photographic ID to their polling station. Please see the acceptable list of ID.
Acceptable photographic identification
- Only original documents will be accepted; scanned images or copies will not be accepted. However, expired documents are acceptable if the photo is still a current likeness.
No suitable photographic ID?
If you do not have any of the accepted forms of photographic identification, and you want to vote at the polling station, you will need to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. This is a new document which Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) will be required to provide, free of charge, to any eligible elector who applies for one.
You will be able to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online, by paper application form or in person from Monday 16 January 2023. See Voter Authority Certificate section below for more information on how to apply. We recommend that you apply for a Voter Authority Certificate in good time. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate in time for the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023 is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.
Voters who do not produce valid photographic Identification or a Voter Authority Certificate will not be able to vote on polling day. Our team at the polling station have no discretion to allow you to vote so please ensure you have an acceptable form of valid photographic identification or a Voter Authority Certificate with you.
The Voter Authority Certificate
You only need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if:
- you do have have accepted Photographic Identification
- you no longer look like the photo on your Photographic Identification
- the name on your Photographic Identification is different to your name on the electoral register.
You will be able to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate in the following ways: online, via paper form or in person.
- You will be able to use the Voter Authority Certificate to vote in person in some UK elections and referendums, however, it cannot be used as proof of identification for any other reason.
- The deadline for application for a Voter Authority Certificate ahead of the next local elections on Thursday 4th May 2023 is 5pm Tuesday 25th April 2023.
- If you apply for a Voter Authority Certificate after the deadline, then you will be unable to receive a Voter Authority Certificate in time for polling day. We will not be able to determine your application until after polling day.
- However, your application will be determined after polling day so that you can participate in future elections.
- Temporary Voter Authority Certificates and emergency proxies due to voter identification will not be available if you have applied for a Voter Authority Certificate after the deadline.
Online – This will be the easiest and simplest way to apply. Please click here
You will be required to upload a digital photograph.
If you are unable to provide a digital photograph you can attach a physical photograph to a paper application form or make an appointment to complete your application in person where a photo will be taken for you – please see below.
Paper Form – The form can be downloaded here.
We will also be able to post a form to you. Please contact us via
- Email – ereg@winchester.gov.uk
- Phone – 01962 848125
To return the completed form you can either
- Scan as a PDF and email to ereg@winchester.gov.uk
- Post the form back to us using the freepost address Electoral Services Unit, Freepost RTLH-LSAG-HASX. City Office, Colebrook Street, Winchester, Hants, SO23 9ZZ
- Hand the form into our reception at city offices in Colebrook Street Winchester SO23 9LJ between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday or post it in the post box
In person – You can request an appointment to complete your application with one of our team at the City Offices. Help will also be available to check hardcopy application forms and to take free photos where needed.
Please email ereg@winchester.gov.uk or phone 01962848125
For every method of application, you will be asked to provide
- Your full name
- Your address at which you are registered
- Overseas electors and service voters will need to provide their declaration and present address
- Your Date of Birth
- Your National Insurance number
Comments are closed