New voter ID rules to impact UK

From 4 May 2023, voters in England will need to show photo ID to vote in local elections.

The changes have been introduced under the Government’s Election’s Act.

Residents of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) if they do not have an accepted form of ID.

Accepted forms of ID include:

Passport
Driving license (including provisional)
Blue Badge
Local travel ID (e.g. bus pass)
PASS card
Government issued documents

(Full list here)

A student ID is not an accepted form of ID, and students will have to apply for a VAC.

To apply for a VAC, residents will need to provide their name, address, date of birth and national insurance number.

The deadline to apply is 5pm, Tuesday 25 April 2023.

Matt Pitcher, Head of Elections at BCP said in a council press release: “We’re keen for any residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate early and make sure they are able to vote in May.”