Derby residents will need photo ID to vote at elections in May

Published: 16 January 2023

Voters in Derby will need to show photographic ID at this year’s local elections. Residents are being urged to check and make sure they have the right forms of ID and are ready to vote in May.

Here in Derby, these new rules coincide with a move to whole Council elections, where every seat on the Council is up for election at the same time, with the successful candidates remaining in power for next four years. In previous elections residents have only voted for one Councillor in their Ward almost on a yearly basis.

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK or EEA drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass. Voters will also be able to use expired eligible ID, if they are still recognisable in their photo. The full list of accepted ID can be found on the Electoral Commission website.

The majority of residents will already have one of the accepted forms of ID. Anyone who does not will be able to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate online or by completing a paper application form.

Voters will be required to show photo ID before voting in the local elections on Thursday 4 May, as well as any Police and Crime Commissioner elections, or parliamentary by-elections. From 5 October 2023 photo ID will also be required to vote at all parliamentary general elections. The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station, is a new requirement, introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act which was passed last year and comes into effect for the first time this May.

Emily Feenan, Monitoring Officer for Derby City Council, said:

These will be the biggest local elections we’ve had in Derby for over half a century and it’s important that anyone wanting to vote has registered and has an accepted form of ID. While it may seem early, checking now means you will be ready to vote in May.

Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to Derby City Council’s Electoral services team. If you need any help with applying for the free ID or want to request an application form, contact the electoral services team at elections@derby.gov.uk or by calling 01332 640837.

Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance for the Electoral Commission, said:

Anyone voting at a polling station in England this May will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. It’s important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it. You can find information about the new requirement and what to expect at the polling station on the Electoral Commission’s website.

Anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must be registered to vote. It only takes five minutes to register online on the government website.

Democracy