Find out what identification you need to vote in person at polling stations on election day.
From 4 May 2023 onwards, all voters are required to show photographic identification (photo ID) at polling stations before they are given a ballot paper.
You are not required to provide photo ID for postal voting.
Existing photo ID you can use
Acceptable forms of photo ID will include:
- 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
- Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state
- Biometric immigration document
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- Blue Badge
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Older Person’s Bus Pass
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
- Oyster 60+ Card
- Freedom Pass
- Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s Smart Pass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass or War Disabled Smart Pass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare Smart Pass issued in Northern Ireland
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
- Voter Authority Certificate or a temporary Voter Authority Certificate
If your photo ID has expired it will still be accepted as long as the photograph is still a good likeness of you.
Get free photo ID for voting
If you do not have any of the accepted forms of photo ID, you will be able to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate in person, by post or online.
This is a free photo ID document specific for the purposes of voting.
We recommend that you do this in good time ahead of any elections.
Apply online for free photo ID to vote at a polling station
You may also apply for a Voter Authority Certificate by completing an application form and sending or delivering it to the Town Hall in Matlock.
Voter Authority Certificate Application Form
Please get in touch if you need held completing the form or taking a photograph.
Voter ID - 4 May 2023 Evaluation Data
Data for publication
Total number of electors who were eligible to vote in person at the polling stations
44,784
The total number of polling station electors who applied for, but at least initially were not issued with, a ballot paper
44
The total number of polling station electors who were not issued with a ballot paper and who later returned with accepted ID and were issued with a ballot paper
27
The number of polling station electors who applied for but were not issued with a ballot paper BY CLOSE OF POLL
17
Contextual Information
The total number of electors who were eligible to vote in person at the polling stations
44,784
The total number of voters issued with a ballot paper at polling stations
15,958
The percentage of electors eligible to vote in person at the polling stations who voted
35.6%
Proportions of those who tried to vote in a polling station
% attended the polling station and were able to vote on 4 May
99.9%
% who applied for but were refused a ballot paper by the close of poll
0.1%
The percentage of electors who applied for, but were initially refused, a ballot paper
0.3%
Of the electors initially refused a ballot paper, the percentage who later returned with accepted ID and were issued with a ballot paper
61.4%
Voter ID Certificates
Number of applications received by 26 April
133
Number issued
128
Number rejected
5
Reasons for rejection
- 3 Duplicate applications
- 2 Not registered to vote
Number of VAC used at a polling station
55
Use of greeters at Polling Stations
25 our of our 89 polling stations employed greeters (28%)
23 voters were initially turned away from polling stations employing greeters 15 of these came back with ID before the close of poll
21 voters were initially turned away from polling stations not employing greeters 12 of these came back with ID before the close of poll
Additional information
Information for people experiencing homelessness
Information for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
