Wednesday 22-02-2023 - 10:14

Under the Elections Act, passed last year, people must present photo ID from a small list of acceptable documents to vote in person across the UK at all future general elections and parliamentary byelections, and for local elections in England, and police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales.

Young people are less likely to have photo ID that can be used to vote, especially as the government has decided that student cards and young people’s travel passes are not valid.

If you don't have an accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate. Statistics for the numbers who have applied since the system opened on 16 January show that fewer than 6% of those applying for the certificate were aged under 25.

Please encourage students to visit the Electoral Commission's website where they can register to vote, find out what forms of ID are accepted and apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.