Voter ID | What's changed?

Voting in UK parliamentary elections, local elections, and the elections for Mayor of London and London Assembly has changed following the Elections Act (2022). The biggest change to the way we vote is the introduction of photo Voter ID. 

• Voters must now present photo identification to vote at polling stations in elections. This applies to all future elections in London, including local council/ borough elections, Mayor or London and London Assembly elections and UK general elections. When arriving at a polling station, your photo ID will be checked before you are handed your ballot paper 

• Only accepted  forms of photo ID can be used to vote. Student photo ID cards, for instance, are not an accepted form of photo ID.  

• If you do not have an accepted form of photo Voter ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.  

• If you do not present an accepted form of photo Voter ID at the polling station, then you will not be able  to cast your vote in person.

• If you choose to vote by post, or by proxy, you will not be asked to show photo Voter ID, but your proxy would need to show theirs. Photo Voter ID is a recent requirement. This is why it’s important to make sure you have an accepted photo Voter ID before the next election and to share information with family and friends. 

This change to the law is permanent and applies to all future elections.

Our hub is here to help you cast your ballot. LGBTQ+ people may be uniquely affected by the changes to the law. Below you can find information about: 

Postal and proxy voting 

A maximum period of three years on voters’ application to hold a postal vote. Voters will need to re-apply at the end of that time.  

Postal and proxy vote application forms are now available online* 

To vote by proxy, you can apply online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote 
To vote by post, you can apply online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote 

*If you cannot apply online, you can download and complete application forms on the same pages, (find link under “Other ways to apply”) 

The voter registration online user journey has changed. At the end, the ‘register to vote’ application form no longer links directly to the postal application option. 

You now need to prove your identity when applying for postal and proxy voting. You will not need to provide a photo ID to vote by post, but there are other identification checks, including verification of your signature and date of birth.  

Previously, a person could act as a proxy for an unlimited number of close relatives and two other people. Now voters are limited to acting as a proxy for two UK- based voters, regardless of their relationship. Anyone voting on behalf of UK voters who live overseas can act as a proxy for up to four people.