Last Hours to Grab Voter ID Before General Election
UK voters without the right photo ID for the July 4 General Election are racing against the clock. You’ve only got until 5pm today (Wednesday) to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if you don’t have accepted ID. This year is the first time everyone must show photo ID to vote in person.
Accepted Photo ID: What You Need
Not every photo ID counts. Valid forms include:
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Blue badge
- Older Person’s or Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
- Identity cards with a Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) hologram
The Electoral Commission warned bluntly: “You won’t be able to vote in person without showing accepted ID.”
Deadlines and Details for Voters Across the UK
Voters in England, Scotland, and Wales must apply for their free voter ID by 5pm today via gov.uk. Northern Ireland voters have until 11:59pm tonight.
Craig Westwood, Electoral Commission director, urged:
“Anyone who needs it should get their application in as soon as they can. The free ID ensures everyone can take part, even if they don’t have accepted photo ID currently. It’s quick and easy to apply, with plenty of support available. Plus, your ID check can be done privately and sensitively at polling stations.”
Proxy Vote and Voter ID Rules: What You Need to Know
Today’s also the last call to apply for a proxy vote in England, Scotland, or Wales—letting someone else vote for you. You must give a valid reason, like being away or disabled. Northern Ireland’s proxy deadline has already passed.
Photo ID requirements come from the Elections Act 2022, aiming to prevent voter fraud. They debuted at last year’s local council elections in England, where around 14,000 voters were turned away for lacking ID. Northern Ireland has made voter ID compulsory since 2002.
For all the info, visit the Electoral Commission website now.
