What picture ID you will need to take with you to vote in in the present day’s 2024 common election
The countdown is on: hours from now, polling stations will open for the 2024 general election. Millions of people are registered to vote on July 4, but there is still one major pitfall to avoid if you want your voice to be heard.
Under new legislation, this will be the first general election in which in-person voters must show a form of photo ID in order to be issued with their ballot paper. Without the correct ID, you will be turned away from your polling station.
The local elections on May 2 were the first in which the new legislation applied – and even ex-prime minister Boris Johnson got caught out when he appeared at his polling station with just an envelope bearing his name and address. He was turned away, but came back later with the right ID to cast his vote.
You can vote if: you are a British citizen, Irish and EU citizen, or eligible Commonwealth citizen; if you are 18 or over; and have registered to vote in your area. You cannot vote if you are serving time in prison.
What form of ID do I need to vote?
You can use a 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 – including an Irish Passport Card. Driving licences and provisional driving licences are also accepted as well as a Blue Badge.
Alternatively, you can show an identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram, a biometric immigration document, Ministry of Defence Form 90, national identity card issued by an EEA state, Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland, Voter Authority Certificate, or an Anonymous Elector’s Document.
Local travel cards including bus passes and Oyster cards will also be accepted. All forms of local travel ID which will be accepted include:
- Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
- Freedom Pass
- Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass)
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
What if my ID is out of date?
You can still use your photo ID if it’s out of date or expired, as long as the photo on it still looks like you. The name on your ID should also match the name you used to register to vote.
If you changed your name after the deadline to re-register to vote, you can bring your old ID plus your marriage licence or deed poll documents as proof of identity.
