Voter photo ID

From 4 May 2023, voters in England will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.

This will apply to:

  • local elections
  • Police and Crime Commissioner elections
  • UK parliamentary by-elections
  • recall petitions

From October 2023 it will also apply to UK General elections.

You can find out what types of ID will be accepted from The Electoral Commission website.

If you don't have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate. 

You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for free from gov.uk

If you need help

If you can't apply online or would like help applying for a Voter Authority Certificate, we are holding drop-in outreach sessions across the district. 

You don't need to book an appointment - just turn up and one of our friendly team will be available to help.

Dates, times and venues for the outreach sessions
Date Time Venue
Saturday 1 April 10am to 12pm Chilgrove Community Centre, Kimberry, Wick, Littlehampton BN17 7JD
Thursday 6 April  10am to 12pm Main Hall, Yapton and Ford Village Hall, Main Road, Yapton BN18 0ET
Thursday 6 April  3pm to 5pm Bersted Green Hub, Hazel Road, Bognor Regis PO22 9DZ
Wednesday 12 April 4pm to 6pm Samuel Wickens Centre, Broadmark Lane, Rustington BN16 2NW
Friday 14 April 10.15am to 12.15pm Committee Room, Pagham Village Hall, Pagham Road PO21 4NJ
Saturday 15 April 10am to 12pm St. Marys Centre, Off Grassmere Parade, Felpham Road, Felpham PO22 7NU
Wednesday 19 April 4pm to 6pm Arundel Museum, Mill Road, Arundel BN18 9PA
Thursday 20 April 2pm to 4pm Bognor Regis Town Hall, Clarence Road, Bognor Regis PO21 1LD
Saturday 22 April 10am to 12pm The Warren Room, East Preston and Kingston Village Hall, 52 Sea Road,
East Preston BN16 1LP

Postal and proxy votes

If you vote by post you will not need photo ID. If you vote by proxy (which means appointing someone to vote on your behalf) then your proxy will need their photo ID if they vote at the polling station.