Do you need ID to vote in person?

Sadly, yes. Lib Dems opposed compulsory ID for voting, but the Conservatives made it 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 (April 18, 2024) on the Electoral Commission website is as follows:

Accepted forms of photo ID

You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station.

International travel

• Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card) 

Driving and Parking

• 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
• Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass)
• 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 document
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• National identity card issued by an EEA state
• Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
• Voter Authority Certificate
• Anonymous Elector's Document

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.

Out of date photo ID

You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you.

Need more information?

Contact Winchester City Council electoral services via email on ereg@winchester.gov.uk or phone 01962 848125

Date Published: April 18, 2024