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Elections Act 2022 - Voter ID and other changes

Important changes to the voting process

The Elections Act 2022 is making changes to the way we’ll vote in the UK. These changes will be introduced during 2023 and 2024 and these pages will be updated as more information becomes available.

Requirements to show photo ID at polling stations

From May 2023 individuals who wish to vote in person, including those acting as a proxy on behalf of another individual, will be required to produce an accepted form of photographic ID to prove their identity before they will be issued with a ballot paper. This is a national change implemented by the Government as part of the Elections Act 2022 which councils are required to follow when running elections.

To vote in person, voters must be on the electoral register and bring a suitable form of photographic ID to their polling station. The most commonly used IDs include:

  • 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
  • Photographic driver’s licence issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (including provisional)
  • European Economic Area (EEA) photographic ID Card
  • UK Biometric Residence Permit
  • An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card)
  • A Blue Badge
  • A concessionary travel pass funded by HM Government or local authority

For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

Voters who do not produce valid identification or a Voter Authority Certificate (more information below), will not be allowed to vote.

Only original documents will be accepted; scanned images or copies will not be accepted

Out of date photo ID

You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you.

The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.

If you do not have one of the accepted forms of ID

If you do not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, which can be obtained free of charge. Anyone applying must already be on the electoral register.

The Voter Authority Certificate is a document containing an elector’s name and photograph that can be used as ID to vote in an election. Voter Authority Certificates do not have an expiration date and can be used in future elections so worth keeping hold of if you apply for one.

You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online at https://voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ 

If you can’t complete the online application form you can request a paper form instead or apply in person at the Forest of Dean District Council offices. For more information please call us on 01594 812638 or email [email protected].

You can find out more about Voter Authority Certificates here: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id/applying-a-voter-authority-certificate 

Changes to postal voting

From 31 October 2023 - New postal vote applicants will require ID verification. Electors will be required to provide their National Insurance Number as well as a date of birth and signature when applying for a postal vote. Postal vote applications will expire after three years and a fresh application will have to be submitted.

  • Apply online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. Alternatively you can request a paper application, please email [email protected] or call 01594 812638. Anyone applying must already be on the electoral register.
  • Existing postal voters – if you wish to continue to vote by postal, you will need to reapply - following the same verification process by 31 January 2026
  • There will be a limit on the number of postal vote packs that you can hand in at a polling station. You will be allowed to take your own, and up to five others
  • If you are a political campaigner – you can only hand in your own postal vote pack plus up to 5 family members or people for whom you provide regular care

When do the changes come into force? 

Existing postal voters must reapply by 31 January 2026.

We will contact all affected voters in stages to explain what you need to do.

  • If we have your email address, you’ll receive an email from [email protected] with instructions on how to reapply.
  • If we don’t have your email—or you don’t respond—you’ll receive a letter with full details on how to proceed.

The quickest and easiest way to reapply is online at gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.

As part of your application, you will be required to provide your:

  • Date of birth
  • National Insurance Number
  • Upload a photo or scanned copy of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.

Changes to proxy voting

There will be a limit to how many people a voter can act as a proxy for (someone else you appoint to vote on your behalf). Under the new rules, a person is not entitled to vote as proxy in any electoral area on behalf of more than four electors. Within the four electors, no more than two electors can be domestic electors. Domestic electors are those electors who are neither service voters nor overseas electors.

Extended voting rights for British citizens living overseas

From 16 January 2024 as part of the Elections Act 2022 the 15 year limit has been removed. If you are a British Citizen living overseas who has previously lived in the UK or been registered to vote in the UK, you can register to vote regardless of how long you have lived outside the UK.

Overseas declaration and any absent vote provisions will be valid for three years, lasting until 1 November in the third year after it takes effect (for example, if your declaration takes effect on 1 March 2024, it will expire on 1 November 2026).

EU citizens’ voting and candidacy rights

Eligibility confirmation and review for European Union citizens

EU citizens are no longer automatically entitled to:

  • register to vote
  • vote
  • stand for elections using the local government franchise (local government and Police and Crime Commissioner elections). 

EU citizens retaining their voting and candidacy rights are:

  • Qualifying EU citizens - citizens of countries the UK have a shared Voting and Candidacy Rights (VCR) treaty with. As of May 2024, countries include:
    • Luxembourg
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • Spain
    • Denmark.
  • EU citizens with retained rights - citizens from any other EU country and have been legally resident in the UK since before the UK left the EU on 31 December 2020. 

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