What ID do I need to vote in the General Election today? Full list of options
New voter ID rules were first implemented in 2023 and will be used for the first time in a national election for the General Election today, July 4.
People across the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland will head to the polls on Thursday as the 2024 General Election gets underway.
New rules brought in back in May 2023 mean that those wishing to vote will need to remember to bring a photo ID with them to cast their vote.
The requirements were implemented after a report published by Lord Pickles, the former Communities Secretary, warned that there was a risk of “significant abuse” of people voting as someone else or using other underhand tactics to influence votes.
The new rules were first used for local elections in May 2023. This will be the first time they are used for national elections.
Previously, voters could simply give their name and address verbally.
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Voters need to bring one form of ID, and it must be the original – not a photocopy or printout.
As per the Gov.co.uk website, the following are acceptable forms of ID:
- UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- Driving licence issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
- UK passport
- Passport issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
- PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- Blue Badge
- Biometric residence permit (BRP)
- Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
- National identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
- Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
- Voter Authority Certificate
- Anonymous Elector’s Document
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This is a list of travel passes you can use:
- Older person’s bus pass
- Disabled person’s bus pass
- Oyster 60+ card
- Freedom Pass
- Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass
The photo ID rules do not apply to postal votes. The deadline to apply for a postal vote was on 5pm, June 19 in England Scotland and Wales. It was June 15 for Northern Ireland.
The deadline to apply for a VAC voter ID card was June 26 at 5pm.
