From 4 May 2023 all voters must show photographic identification in polling stations before being issued a ballot paper.

Photographic ID Checklist

In order to vote in a polling station you must show one of the following:

• A United Kingdom passport
• A passport issued by an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
• A licence to drive a motor vehicle (including provisional driving licences)
• A driving licence issued by any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state
• A national identity card issued by an EEA state
• A biometric immigration document issued in accordance with regulations under section 5 of the UK Borders Act 2007
• An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card e.g. CitizenCard, NUS Totum ID Card, Validate UK Card)
• A Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card Mod90)
• Blue badge scheme
• Older Person’s Bus Pass
• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
• Oyster 60+ Card
• Freedom Pass
• The Voter Authority Certificate*
• Anonymous elector’s document**

If your photographic identification document has expired it will still be accepted so long as the photograph is still a good likeness of you.

You may be required to provide further proof of identity if there is any discrepancy between your name as shown on your form of photographic identification and the name of the elector that you claim to be.

*If you do not have one of the above you must apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.   ** Issued directly from Electoral Services for registered anonymous electors.

Voter Authority Certificate

A Voter Authority Certificate is available free for voters who do not have one of the above photographic documents. Applications can be made at any time up until 5pm, 6 working days ahead of polling day. The online application form is supported by Government Digital Services and you will be taken away from the Ipswich Borough Council website. Applications can be made at:

Voter Authority Certificate – GOV.UK (voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk)

Alternatively a paper copy is available by contacting Electoral Services, please email elections@ipswich.gov.uk or call 01473 432000 for further advice.