Do you need ID to vote in person?
Sadly, yes. Lib Dems opposed compulsory ID for voting, but it's now the law.
You need photo ID to vote in person!
Do you need your polling card to vote in person?
No. Only photo ID.
Do you need ID to vote by post?
You do not currently need photo ID to vote by post or to hand in a postal vote at a polling station.
What ID can you use?
The official list is available on the government website, Winchester City Council website or the Electoral Commission.
It's also available on the back of your Poll Card.
The latest list (May 2, 2026) on the Electoral Commission website is as follows:
Accepted forms of photo ID
You need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in England.
You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station.
You only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version, not a photocopy.
International travel
- 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 (Opens in new window), or a country whose citizens are Commonwealth citizens
Driving and Parking
- 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
Local travel
- 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
Proof of age
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
Other government issued documents
- 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
Digital ID
- 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.
If you've changed your name
The name on your ID must match the name on the electoral register.
If it doesn't, you need to register to vote again.
If the deadline to register to vote in an upcoming election has passed, you will need to bring a document with you to the polling station that proves you've changed your name. For example, a marriage certificate.
Small differences don't matter. For example, if your ID says ‘Jim Smith’ instead of ‘James Smith’.
Showing ID as an anonymous elector
If you're registered to vote anonymously and want to vote in person, you'll need to apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document.
Find out more about registering to vote anonymously and how to vote anonymously.
Need more information?
Contact Winchester City Council electoral services via email on ereg@winchester.gov.uk or phone 01962 848125
Date Published: May 2, 2026