Following the introduction of the Elections Act (2022) it is now mandatory for every person to provide a photo ID to be able to vote. These changes will have a huge impact on Disabled people. Disabled people are already an under-represented group in society, and risk losing the ability to vote if we do not have the correct identification.
Everyone should be able to register and cast their vote, but Deaf and Disabled Londoners still face barriers and do not always know their democratic rights.
This article aims to inform all eligible Londoners, particularly under-registered and under-represented Londoners of all backgrounds, about these unprecedented changes, most notably the introduction of mandatory photo identification in order to vote in General Elections.
Approved photo ID cannot be any form of ID. Londoners will need to possess and present one of these acceptable forms of IDs recognised in law as proof of identity required to be able to vote:
● A United Kingdom passport
● A passport issued by an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
● A national identity card issued by an EEA state
● A UK driving licence
● A driving licence issued by the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state
● A biometric immigration document
● An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
● A Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
● Concessionary travel passes funded by the UK Government: Older Person’s Bus Pass,
Disabled Person’s Bus Pass, Oyster 60+ Card, Freedom Pass
● A Blue Badge
● A free Voter Authority Certificate.
If they are not in this list, other photo IDs issued by third parties will not be accepted as proof of identity in order to be able to vote.
The requirement for photo voter ID to vote will be applicable at local elections in England from May 2023. As there are no elections in London in 2023, the first time it will apply in London will be at the May 2024 elections. The requirement for the UK Parliamentary General elections will only take effect for polls after 5 October 2023.
Expired photographic identification documents can still be used as accepted photographic ID at the polling station or signing place, as long as the photograph is still a good likeness of the elector.
For the full list of acceptable forms of photo ID to vote and more info on the guidance issued by the Electoral Commission to Electoral Registration Officers check
Registering to vote remains the first step to exercising your democratic rights. You will need to register to vote well in advance of election day, so make sure to prep ahead! just head to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and fill in the online form.
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