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The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station. This new requirement will apply at the Stoke-on-Trent City Council elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.

Which forms of ID can I use?

You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:

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

Photographic driver’s licence issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (including provisional)

European Economic Area (EEA) photographic ID Card

UK Biometric Residence Permit

An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card)

A Blue Badge

Oyster 60+ Card

A concessionary travel pass funded by HM Government or local authority

You can find a full list of accepted documents here.

Only original documents will be accepted; scanned images or copies will not be accepted. Expired documents will be accepted if the photo is still a current likeness.

If you don’t have an accepted form of ID

If you don’t have one of the above forms of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

You can apply for this for this free document by clicking here.

Alternatively, you can request a paper application by calling 01782 233800 or by emailing elections@stoke.gov.uk.

Postal and proxy voting

Postal voters will not be affected and will be issued with their ballot packs as usual.

If you vote by proxy, the person you have appointed to vote on your behalf will have to take their own identification.

You can find more information about the photo ID requirements by clicking 

here.