If you don’t have an accepted form of photographic identification, and want to vote in person on Thursday 2 May, you need to apply for free voter ID, officially known a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’, by 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.
You can apply online: Voter Authority Certificate – GOV.UK, or by completing a paper form available from the main council offices in 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.
This year is the first time North Herts will have ‘all-out’ elections, meaning all district councillors will be elected at the same time. The next election will be in 2028, and every four years after that. In addition there is also the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner election happening on 2 May.
You do not need to apply for photo ID if you already have an accepted form of ID which includes:
- A permanent Voter Authority Certificate from last year
- 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 Council’s Returning Officer, said: “You will need to show photo ID to vote in this year’s elections on Thursday 2 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 You can still use photo ID if it's out of date, as long as the photo still looks like you.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.”
Those who voted last year will be familiar with showing photo ID in a polling station, but if you’re not you can watch our video to see what it will be like showing your ID to vote in May.
Registering to vote
If you want to vote on 2 May, but have never registered to vote before, have moved house or changed your name, you must apply by 11.59pm on Tuesday 16 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. It you haven’t registered to vote, don’t have photo ID and have not applied for a free Voter Authority Certificate by the required deadlines you will not be able to vote – don’t lose out on your chance to have your say!”
The requirement to show photo ID at a polling station was introduced by the government’s Elections Act passed in 2022. It also applies to general elections, the next of which is scheduled to be held no later than 28 January 2025.
Do you know where your polling station is?
Please be aware that your polling station may have changed since the last election following a recent review of polling districts and places. Please make sure you check your poll card as this will detail your polling station for the forthcoming elections. Alternatively, you can use our online polling station finder tool: Polling stations
More information: Current elections and councillor vacancies
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