Elections Act 2022

The Elections Act 2022 requires voters to show photographic identification at polling stations before they are given a ballot paper.

If you don’t already have any of the accepted forms of photographic identification (listed below), you will be able to apply either in person, by post or online, for a Voter Authority Certificate - a free photographic identification document specific for the purposes of voting – and in good time ahead of voter identification first being required in polling stations.

You find out how to apply for a Voter Authority Certificates by clicking below.

• Voter ID: Voter Authority Certificate - Nottingham City Council

Acceptable forms of photographic identification will include:

• A 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
• A driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state
• A biometric immigration document
• An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• A Blue Badge
• A national identity card issued by an EEA state
• An Older Person’s Bus Pass
• A Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
• An Oyster 60+ Card
• A Freedom Pass
• A Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland
• A 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
• A Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
• A Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• A Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• A War Disablement SmartPass or War Disabled SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• A 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• A Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• An Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
• A Voter Authority Certificate or a temporary Voter Authority Certificate

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

Came into force for the May 2023 Local Elections

The new law will make it easier for people with disabilities to vote. Proposals are for anyone over 18 to act as a companion to a voter with a disability. Returning Officer’s will take all reasonable steps to support voters with disabilities to improve the range and quality of support.

Came into force for the May 2023 Local Elections

• When you apply for a Postal Vote you will need to provide proof of your identity.
• An online system will be set up which allows you to apply for a Postal Vote.
• You will need to renew your Postal Vote every 3 years, instead of every 5 years currently.
• Political parties and campaigners will be banned from handing in Postal Votes
• If you are handing in Postal Votes at a polling station you will only be able to hand in a maximum of 6. 

Will be in place from July 2023. 

• When you apply for a Proxy Vote you will need to provide proof of your identity.
• An online system will be set up which allows you to apply for a Proxy Vote.
• You will need to renew your Postal Vote every 3 years, instead of every 5 years currently.
• Electors will only be allowed to act as proxy for up to 4 people, of which no more than 2 can be "domestic electors" - i.e. not overseas voters

Will be in place from July 2023. 

The 15-year limit on British citizens living abroad being able to register to vote has been removed. Now any British citizen living overseas, who has been previously registered or resident in the UK, can make an application to register to vote, regardless of when they left the UK.

Please visit Register to vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) to make an application, to become an overseas elector.

The renewal period has also increased, from 1 year to 3 years.

These changes came into effect, on the 16^th of January 2024.

Voting as an Overseas Elector

Once registered as an overseas elector, you will be able to vote at your designated polling station within the constituency. If you are not planning on coming back to the UK on polling day, you would need to make alternative voting arrangements. This can be setting up a postal vote, or you have the option to appoint someone you trust, to vote on your behalf through a process known as a proxy vote.

• To make a postal vote application, please visit: http://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote/
• To make a proxy vote application, please visit: http://www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote/

For more information on the voting methods please click below

• How to vote - Nottingham City Council

EU citizens will no longer automatically be entitled to register, vote, or stand for election. 

Two groups of EU citizens will keep these rights: 'qualifying EU citizens' and 'EU citizens with retained rights'

Qualifying EU citizens 

• Citizens who come from countries which have reciprocal agreements with the UK 
• Currently this is: :Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain 

EU citizens with retained rights

• EU citizens who were living in the UK before 1 January 2021 (before the UK left the EU)

Will come into force by May 2024.