Elections and voting

The UK Government is changing how you vote, and how we conduct elections, through the Elections Act 2022

From May 2023, you will be required to show photo ID, such as a passport or a photocard driving licence, when you vote at your polling station.

These changes will apply at Great Yarmouth Borough Council and parish council elections being held on Thursday 4 May 2023. 

You will need to show photographic identification if you are one of the following:

• a voter visiting a polling station to vote
• a proxy voter who is visiting a polling station to vote on someone's behalf

Acceptable forms of ID

This includes:

• a 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
• a photocard driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state
• a biometric immigration document
• an identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• a Blue Badge
• a national identity card issued by an EEA state
• an older person's bus pass
• a disabled person's bus pass
• an Oyster 60+ card
• a Freedom Pass
• a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC) issued in Scotland
• a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
• a Disabled Person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
• a Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• a Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person's SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• a War Disablement SmartPass or War Disabled SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• a 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• a Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• an Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland

Expired documents will be accepted as suitable photo ID, providing the photograph is still a good likeness.

If you do not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (opens new window). This is a free service. 

You must be registered to vote in order to apply. If you need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, make sure you do so in good time ahead of it being required at the polling station. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for local elections taking place on 4 May 2023 is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.