Registering to vote and the new photo ID requirements for the General Election
Buckinghamshire Council is reminding residents that to vote in the General Election on 4 July they will need to make sure they are registered to vote and to show a valid photo ID at polling stations.
This now applies to:
- Local elections
- UK General elections
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections
- UK parliamentary by-elections
- Recall petitions
You can apply for a free voter ID certificate, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, if:
- you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID
- you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you
- you’re worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reasons, such as the use of a gender marker
Find out more about what ID is accepted and apply for free voter ID, if you need it on the Electoral Commission's website.
The deadline to apply for free voter ID in time for the 4 July General Election is 5pm on 26 June.
For people registered to vote by post, no photo ID will be required. This is because postal voting requires other identification checks, such as signature and date of birth verification.
Sarah Ashmead, Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Chief Executive and Returning Officer, said:
“You will need to show an accepted form of photo ID for the General Election on 4 July 2024.
“If you haven’t done so already, I’d encourage you to make sure that you are registered to vote. The easiest way to do this is by visiting GOV.UK. The deadline to register to vote in the General Election is 18 June 2024.”
Find out more about what to expect on polling day by visiting Buckinghamshire Council's website.
The council is urging residents to share this information with friends and relatives who may be unaware of these voter ID changes or need assistance with applying for the necessary documents. Booklets containing relevant information are also available at Buckinghamshire libraries; you can also use the computers in our libraries to register to vote and find out more about voter ID.