Advice for trans people | voter ID

For trans and gender nonconforming people, photo Voter ID can make it harder to vote

Here we explain exactly what voter ID means for trans and non-binary people. We’re here to support you and make sure that you don’t lose your vote.

What the law says: 

The Elections Act (2022) is a recent set of laws that requires voters to show photo ID when voting in elections.

It’s important to plan ahead to make sure that your vote isn’t lost

You won't be allowed to cast your vote if: 

Photo ID checks at the polling station will be looking to confirm that the name on your photo ID is the same as your name on the electoral register. Staff will not be checking the gender marker, address or nationality on your ID. 

The name on your photo ID should be the same name that you used to register to vote. You do not need to show a photo ID that includes a gender marker.

If you don’t have photo ID or aren’t sure if you still look like the photo on your ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. A Voter Authority Certificate does not have a gender marker.

Do I need a new photo ID to vote? 

You may want to consider applying for a new photo ID including the free Voter Authority Certificate if the below applies to you. 

If your name is different on the electoral register to your photo ID, you can:

Find out how to apply for all accepted forms of photo ID. The list includes notes for trans and gender non-conforming people such as whether each form of photo ID displays a gender marker. 

You probably don’t need to get new photo ID if:

Your right to privacy 

If you would rather show your photo Voter ID to the officer at the polling station away from other people, you have the right to show it privately.

Schedule 1 of the Elections Act (2022) makes this clear: 

“The presiding officer or clerk must arrange for the voter to produce any document in a private area of the polling station if the voter so requests, and, in such a case, must ensure that no other persons witness the production except as permitted by the voter.” 

The clerk can’t pass around your photo Voter ID to ask for a second opinion, or show it to anyone else: 

“No person other than the presiding officer or a clerk may inspect a document produced as proof of a voter’s identity, except as permitted by the voter.”

If you would prefer not to show a photo ID at a polling station, you can apply to vote by post or by proxy. Photo ID isn’t required to apply or vote by post. It is not required when you apply for a proxy vote, but your proxy will be required to show their own accepted photo ID at the polling station, when they vote on your behalf. 

The Free Voter Authority Certificate 

Some people may find it easier to apply for a new form of photo ID made for elections called the free Voter Authority Certificate. The application only asks for basic information, and the certificate doesn’t include your gender, unlike many other forms of accepted photo ID like passports and driving licenses.

Find out more about the free Voter Authority Certificate, and where to apply. 

I’m mid-transition, when is the best time to get a new photo ID to vote? 

If you’re transitioning and in the process of legally changing your name, having gender confirmation surgery, or significantly changing your gender expression, then you might decide to wait to get a new photo Voter ID so that your photo and other details are up to date.

Note: as stated above, if you have proof of your legal name change, you can bring that proof with you to the polling station. Your photo Voter ID with your old name is valid.

Give yourself plenty of time before an election to register to vote, and get an accepted form of photo Voter ID.  

For advice on a case-by-case situation, you might want to contact the Electoral Commission helpline at 0800 328 0280 or your borough electoral services - you can find their contact details here.