Voter ID

The Conservative Government introduced legislation that means that all voters in this years elections will require ID in order to be able to vote in person. This was a move designed to eliminate electoral fraud, despite very little evidence than any takes place.

It does mean that visiting the polling station will be different this year to previous years, It is important that you are aware of the changes.

What You Need To Do

Register To Vote

If you haven’t already, apply to register to vote. This can be done online here, or you can download a paper form to complete here. You must be registered to vote by 11:59pm on Tuesday 16 April in order to vote in the elections on 2nd May 2024

Accepted forms of ID

  • 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 (including an Irish Passport Card)
  • Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
  • A Blue Badge
  • Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
  • Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
  • 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
  • Freedom Pass
  • Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass)
  • 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
  • Biometric immigration document
  • Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
  • National identity card issued by an EEA state
  • Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland

What if I dont have this?

Voter Authority Certificate

You can apply for a “Voter Authority Certificate” before the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024. The easiest way to obtain one is using the online form online, here.

You can also apply by post. There’s a different form for applying by post if you live abroad, you’re in the armed forces, a Crown Servant or a British Council employee. You’ll need to print, fill out and send the form to your local Electoral Registration Office.

It’s free to apply. You will need a recent, digital photo of yourself and your National Insurance number

Apply for a Postal Vote

You can choose to vote by post at any time simply if it is more convenient for you. It’s especially useful if you’re going to be away on holiday or if your work schedule means you can’t get to polling station.

To apply for a postal vote you must complete an Application Form. Once completed your application form should be returned by email to electoralservices@maidstone.gov.uk. Please attach any relevant documentation to support your application to the email. The deadline to apply for a postal vote for the elections on 2nd May 2024 is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.

Postal votes can be sent overseas, but you should consider whether there’ll be enough time to receive and return your ballot paper by election day. Please be aware if you register for a postal vote, the postal ballot pack is not sent out until about 10 days before the date of an election.