Local elections 2025: What ID can I take to the polling station for local elections - see full list

Voters across England are being urged to remember their ID when they go to the polling station tomorrow.

On Thursday, voters in 23 local authorities in England to choose their new councillors in the first big test at the ballot box for political parties since won the in July 2024.

A total of 1,641 council seats across the 23 authorities are up for grabs, as well as contests for six mayors in England. The first by-election of this Parliament, for Runcorn & Helsby, will also be held after former Labour MP Mike Amesbury quit.

The politician after a 3am brawl on the street. Reform UK and Labour are neck and neck in the race.

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Voters will need to show photo ID at polling stations before they can receive their ballot paper. introduced Voter ID requirements when he was PM. He received fierce criticism for the decision amid fears thousands would miss out having their say at the ballot box if they didn't own an ID, or forgot to bring one.

The former Tory PM faced embarrassment at last year's local elections and was turned away from his local polling station as he didn't have the right ID.

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Speaking ahead of Thursday's local elections, Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission Niki Nixon said: “If you’re going along to your polling station to vote on Thursday, don’t forget your photo ID, you’ll need to show it before you can be given your ballot paper. Check you have it with you before heading to the polling station, so that you don’t have to return later in the day.

“If you lose your ID, or your Voter Authority Certificate does not arrive in time, you can appoint an emergency proxy to vote on your behalf. You will need to contact your council to arrange this before 5pm on election day, and the person you appoint will need their own acceptable photo ID.”

The Electoral Commission has compiled a full list of accepted IDs, which you can find below.

Full list of accepted IDs International travel

• 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 and Parking

• 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

Local travel

• 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

Proof of age

• Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

Other government issued documents

• Biometric Immigration Documents, including eVisas
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• Ministry of Defence Form 100 (HM Armed Forces Veteran Card) (you can only use this ID at elections taking place on or after 1 May 2025)
• National identity card issued by an EEA state
• Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
• Voter Authority Certificate
• Anonymous Elector's Document

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