Voter ID
Bring ID to vote for the next election
Voters are now required to show photographic identification at polling stations before they are given a ballot paper. You can find out more about the Elections Act 2022 on GOV.UK.
This will affect all voters across Thanet who vote in person or by proxy, at the next local election on Thursday 4 May 2024.
Voters must bring a suitable form of photographic ID to their polling station. The most commonly used forms of ID 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
- Oyster 60+ Card
- A concessionary travel pass funded by HM Government or local authority**
** For example Kent County Council Bus Pass; Disabled Person’s Bus Pass, Welsh or Northern Ireland travel card.
Only original documents are accepted; scanned images or copies will not be accepted however expired documents are accepted if the photo is still a current likeness.
See full list of photo ID accepted at GOV.UK
No suitable photo ID?
If you do not have any of the accepted photo ID, and you want to vote at the polling station, you will need to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. This is a free photographic identification document specific for the purposes of voting.
The application process is now open to Apply for Photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’).
You’ll need to complete your application by 5pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024 to get a Voter Authority Certificate for the May 2024 elections.
Voters who do not produce a Voter Authority Certificates, or valid identification will not be allowed to vote on the day.
Don’t forget, if you’d rather not worry about obtaining a suitable photo ID you can always request a postal vote as photo ID is currently not required.
Postal and proxy vote
Postal voters will not be affected and will be issued with their postal ballot papers as usual. 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 identification to be issued with a ballot paper.
Spread the word
Download and print this poster to display in your window or on a noticeboard to help let everyone know about the need to bring photo ID on polling day