Remember to take photo ID to vote in a polling station

With only two and a half weeks to election day, voters are being reminded that they need photo ID to be able to vote in a polling station.

Anyone who goes to a polling station to vote must show one accepted form of ID with their photograph on, such as passports, some travel passes, biometric immigration documents, or photo driving licences.

Even if your ID has expired, you can still show it in a polling station – as long as the photograph still looks like you.

Accepted forms of photo ID are:

• 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
• biometric immigration document
• an identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card)
• Blue Badge
• Oyster 60+ Card
• a concessionary travel pass funded by HM Government or local authority
• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass.

If you haven’t got any of the accepted forms of photo ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate up until 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.

It’s completely free and you can apply online through the Gov.uk website. HYPERLINK TO https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

It’s also possible to print off a paper application form via the Gov.uk website.

Denise Park, Returning Officer for elections in Blackburn with Darwen and the Council’s Chief Executive, said:

Photographic ID was required at polling stations for the first time in May 2023.

At the last elections in Blackburn with Darwen in 2024, 99% of voters brought the correct form of photo ID to be able to vote.

However, the Voter Authority Certificate is available to anyone who needs it, to be able to vote in person in a polling station.

There’s more information about the local elections in Blackburn with Darwen on 7 May – including the candidates standing in each ward – at https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/elections-and-voting.