The countdown to apply for photo ID to vote in the elections in May is on!

If you don’t have an accepted form of photographic identification, and want to vote in person on Thursday 4 May, you need to apply for free voter ID, officially known a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’, by 5pm on 25 April.

You can apply online: Voter Authority Certificate – GOV.UK or by completing a paper form available from the main council offices on Gernon Road, Letchworth. The form will require a photo, your full name, date of birth, the address at which you are registered to vote and your National Insurance number.

You do not need to apply if you already have an accepted form of ID which includes:

• UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport
• UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence (including a provisional drivers’ licence)
• Blue Badge (disabled parking permit)
• Older Person’s Bus Pass
• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
• Oyster 60+ Card
• Freedom Pass
• Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card)

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website: Accepted forms of photo ID.

Melanie Stimpson, North Herts Returning Officer, said: “For the first time, residents in North Herts, and the rest of England, will need to show photo ID to vote at this year’s local elections on Thursday 4 May. You will only need to show one original form of photo ID and photocopies will not be accepted. You can still use photo ID if it's out of date, as long as the photo still looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.

“We have had over 50 applications so far, so it clear that this may be an issue for some of our electors. With a third of our councillors up for election, it’s important that those who want to vote in person ensure they have an accepted form of ID, so we urge anyone to apply as soon as possible.” 

Registering to vote

If you want to vote on 4 May, but have never registered to vote before, have moved house or changed your name, you must apply by 11.59pm on 17 April.

Melanie added: “As usual, anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must also be registered to vote. It only takes five minutes to register to vote online with your National Insurance number. Please register to vote first, and then apply for your photo ID if necessary.”

The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station is a new requirement, introduced by the government’s Elections Act passed in 2022. It comes into effect for the first time this May and will apply to general elections from October 2023, the next of which is scheduled to be held no later than 24 January 2025.

This year is the last time North Herts will elect ‘by thirds’, as from May 2024 district elections will go ‘all-out’, meaning all district councillors will be elected at the same time, every four years.