From 04 May 2023, electors at the polling station will need to show an accepted form of photographic id to prove their identity before being issued with a ballot paper.
You will need to bring photo ID if you vote a polling station for elections on or after Thursday, 04 May 2023.
It must be the original document, photocopies or photos of it on your phone will not be accepted.
If your photo ID has expired it will be accepted as long as the photo is still a good likeness of you.
The accepted forms of photographic ID includes:
- a 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
- a driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state
- a biometric immigration document
- an identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- a Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- a Blue Badge
- a national identity card issued by an EEA state
- an Older Person's Bus Pass
- a Disabled Person's Bus Pass
- an Oyster 60+ Card
- A concessionary travel pass funded by HM Government or local authority (Kent County Council Bus Pass; Disabled Person's Bus Pass, Welsh or Northern Ireland travel card)
A full list of accepted photo ID can be found on gov website.
If you do not have any photo ID you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
Voter Authority Certificates
If you do not have any of the above forms of ID you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate free of charge.
Apply for voter authority certificate
You can also apply by post and in person at the Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, CT20 2QY, please contact the Elections Team on 01303 853497 for further details.
Applications for Voter Authority Certificate at the May elections close at 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.
FAQs
Am I allowed to bring my poll card as ID?
No, the ID you bring must be an accepted form of photographic ID.
My Driving Licence has my old address, can I still use this?
Yes, you can use any expired, accepted photo ID if the photo is still a good likeness.
The name on my photo ID does not match the name on my poll card, can I still use this ID?
If the difference is because of a name change (e.g. you got married) you will need to bring proof of the name change with you to the polling station. If the difference is because of an error (e.g. wrong spelling) please contact our office on 01303 853497 for further details.