19/01/23
Central government has passed a law that will change the
way we vote in Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections. This
law is called the Elections Act 2022.
Please note: This law does NOT
apply to Senedd and Local Government (Cardiff Council and Community Council)
Elections, as the legislation for these are set by Welsh Government.
Changes to Voting at polling stations: Photo ID required
You must now show Photo ID to vote at
polling stations when there is a Parliamentary election or a Police and Crime
Commissioner election.
This must be an approved form of photo ID, such as a
passport or driver’s licence. Only original documents are accepted,
scanned images or copies will not be accepted. However, if your photo ID has
expired it will be accepted as long as the photograph is still a good
likeness to you.
The most commonly used and accepted forms of ID include:
· Passport issued by the UK,
any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an
EEA status or a Commonwealth country.
· Photographic driver’s
licence issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state or
a Commonwealth country
· European Economic Area (EEA)
photographic ID card
· An identity card bearing the
Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card)
· A Blue Badge
· Older Person’s Bus Pass
· Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
· Oyster 60+ Card
What to do if you do not have an approved Photo
ID?
If
you do not have an approved ID, you will need to apply for a free 'Voter
Authority Certificate' (VAC).
You
can apply online for a VAC through the central government GOV.UK Voter Authority Certificate
website.
You
can also apply for a VAC by printing and filling in a paper form and sending it
to our Electoral Registration Office at Cardiff Council, address below. Click here to download and print the
form.
Electoral Services
Room 263, County Hall,
Atlantic Wharf,
Cardiff
CF10 4UW
You
can email electoralservcies@cardiff.gov.uk or call 02920872087 to
request a print of this form.
Our
Electoral Services Team can assist you with your application, please get in touch
for any help or if you need to attend the elections office in person for help
with your application.
Once
you receive your VAC, it will have no expiry date. However, it is advised that
you renew your VAC (re-apply for a VAC) in 10 years to ensure the photo on the
VAC remains a true likeliness of you.
The
deadline to apply for a VAC will be 5pm, six working days before the date of
election.
You
will need to show your approved photo ID or VAC at polling stations from
May 2023 onwards at Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner
elections.
The
next scheduled election in Cardiff where you will require to show
photo ID or a VAC to vote will be the May 2024 Police & Crime Commissioner
Election.
Are
you unsure if you hold valid and accepted form of Photo ID?
If
you feel unsure whether the form of Photo ID you currently hold is accepted you
can find more details on the accepted forms of ID by clicking here. Alternatively, you may
contact our Electoral Registration Office via email: electoralservices@cardiff.gov.uk or call 02920872087 for
help.
Voting by Post or
Proxy
If you choose to vote
by post, you will not be affected and will be issued with your postal ballot
papers as usual.
If you choose to vote
by proxy, then the person who you have trusted to vote on your behalf will have
to take their own photo identification to be issued with a ballot paper.
If you feel
unsure about whether you have an accepted form of Photo ID or about any changes
imposed by the Elections Act, then please get in touch with our Electoral
Services Office.
Electoral Services
Room 263, County Hall,
Atlantic Wharf,
Cardiff
CF10 4UW
Email:electoralservcies@cardiff.gov.uk
Phone: 02920872087
Further
Changes as a result of the Elections Act 2022
There are further
changes that will come into force for Parliamentary and Police and Crime
Commissioner Elections. We will keep you updated on changes as they come into
force.
For more
information on this act, you can visit the links below.