Photo ID needed for local elections

9:00am - 20 January 2023
A post-it note reminding people to vote

Local elections take place in North Somerset this May and for the first time you’ll need photographic proof of identity to be able to cast your vote.

A new requirement to show photo ID at polling stations comes into force this year and will apply for the first time during the local elections on Thursday 4 May.

So that you can have your say on who represents you on North Somerset Council and your local town and parish council, check now on the Electoral Commission website that you have an accepted photo ID.

If you don’t, or aren’t sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate, through the government website.

You must also be registered to vote. It takes five minutes to register online and you just need your National Insurance number.

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 17 April and the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate in time for the local elections is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April.

Watch the photo ID advert on YouTube or visit the Electoral Commission website for more information.