Voter ID Requirements
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 the GOV.UK website.
This will affect all voters across Braintree who wish to vote in person or by proxy at the next local election on Thursday 4 May 2023.
Voters must bring a suitable form of photographic ID to their polling station. The most commonly used 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 Essex County Council Bus Pass; Disabled Person's Bus Pass, Welsh or Northern Ireland travel card.
Only original documents will be accepted at the polling stations, scanned images or copies will not be accepted. However expired documents are acceptable if the photo is still a current likeness.
See full list of photo ID accepted at GOV.UK
Supporting people to vote in the 2023 English local elections
We know that some groups are more likely to experience barriers with this change and may need support to access photo ID.
Organisations working directly with voters, including local authorities and charities, can help voters make sure they have photo ID ahead of the elections.
Visit the Electoral Commission website for more information about photo ID for the local elections.
No suitable photo ID?
If you do not have any of the accepted forms of photo ID, and you wish to vote at in the May 2023 elections, you will need to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. This is a free photographic identification document specific for the purposes of voting provided by the Government. It is important to note that you only need to apply for the Voter Authority Certificate if you DO NOT have any of the accepted photo ID’s.
The application process will be managed through the GOV.UK website.
Deadline 5pm on 25 April 2023
Voters who do not produce a Voter Authority Certificates, or valid Photo ID will not be allowed to vote on the day.
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 Photo ID or Voter Authority Certificate to the relevant polling station in order to be issued with a ballot paper.