The Electoral Commission is urging people not to forget their photo ID before heading out to vote on May 7
People need to take a form of photographic ID with them to vote (Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
If you are planning to vote in the 2026 Local Elections in England on Thursday, it’s important to know that you must take photo ID with you. Anyone arriving at the polling station without an accepted form of ID will be unable to vote.
To receive their ballot, voters will be required to present ID, which will be checked by polling station staff. A private area will be available at the polling station for anyone who wants to have their photo ID viewed in private.
Niki Nixon, Electoral Commission director of communications and external affairs, said: “If you’re planning on voting tomorrow at the English local and mayoral elections, don’t forget to bring photo ID. You’ll need to show it to polling station staff before they give you your ballot paper. Don’t risk being turned away, check you have ID with you before heading to the polling station.” ChronicleLive is bringing all the Local Election coverage here.
Full list of accepted forms of photo ID
According to the Electoral Commission, you can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station in England. You only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version, not a photocopy.
- A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British Overseas Territory
- A passport or passport card issued by an EEA state or a country whose citizens are Commonwealth citizens
- A photocard driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
- A Blue Badge
- Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
- Freedom Pass
- a National Entitlement Card issued by a local authority in Scotland
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- Biometric Immigration Documents, including eVisas
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- Ministry of Defence Form 100 (HM Armed Forces Veteran Card) (you can only use this ID at elections taking place on or after 1 May 2025)
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
- Voter Authority Certificate
- Anonymous Elector’s Document
- Veterans’ card
- e-visa
Out of date photo ID
You can still use your photo ID if it’s out of date, as long as it looks like you. The address on your ID does not need to match your current address. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.
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