Changes to the Elections Act 2022 and Voter ID

The UK Government has implemented significant changes to the current electoral system. The Elections Act 2022 outlines several measures which will affect the way that you vote and how we conduct elections.

One of the biggest changes will be the requirement for individuals to show photographic identification (such as a passport or driving licence) when they vote at a polling station.

This change has now come into force for all elections in the London Borough of Bexley.

The next scheduled elections are the Mayor of London and London Assembly (GLA) elections on 2 May 2024.

Voter ID at polling stations

The Elections Act 2022 introduces the requirement that voters (when voting in person or as a proxy) will be required to show photographic identification when they go to vote at a polling station before they are given a ballot paper.

Voters must bring a suitable form of photographic ID to their polling station.

Acceptable forms of ID 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 photographic full or provisional driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state
  • a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
  • a European Economic Area (EEA) photographic ID Card
  • a UK biometric resident permit
  • 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
  • an Oyster 60+ Card
  • a concessionary travel pass funded by HM Government or local authority (Freedom Pass, Disabled Person's Bus Pass, Welsh, or Northern Ireland travel card)

Only original documents are accepted. Scanned images, electronic versions or copies will not be accepted - however, expired documents are accepted if the photo is still a current likeness.

Full details of the ID that will be accepted can be found on the Electoral Commission Voter ID website.

No suitable Photo ID - apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC)

If you do not have any of the accepted forms of ID, you will be able to apply online for a free Voter Authority Certificate - this is a photographic identity document specifically for the purpose of voting.

Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate

You can apply for a VAC at any time, but the deadline to apply is six working days before an election.

Voters who do not produce a Voter Authority Certificate or valid identification will not be allowed to vote at a polling station.

You do not need to apply for a VAC if you already have an acceptable form of ID.

Alternatively, you can apply for a VAC by completing a paper application form. If you need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or want to request an application form, please contact the Elections Team:

You can find out more about the Elections Act 2022 by visiting the UK Government website.

Changes to absent voting (postal and proxy voting)

There are a number of changes, including how to apply for a postal or proxy vote, reducing the amount of time a person can have an absent vote without reapplying, limiting the amount of postal votes that can be handed in and limiting the amount of individuals a person can act as a proxy for.

These changes came into force on 31 October 2023.

Find out more about postal and proxy voting

Accessibility at polling stations

The new law will make it easier for voters with disabilities to vote. 

The changes came into force in May 2023.

Voters with a disability can be accompanied by anyone over the age of 18 to act as a companion at a polling station.

People with disabilities

To make it as easy as possible for everyone to vote there is a range of support options for those with disabilities.

Assistance at the polling station

We provide the following assistance at polling stations:

  • trained staff who are aware of voters who may need assistance and are available to help.
  • wheelchair access, including temporary ramps in most of our polling stations
  • additional seating in Polling Stations
  • low-level polling booths
  • large-print ballot papers, pencil grips, tactile voting devices and magnifiers
  • allow the use of voters with disabilities to use text-to-speech apps, magnifiers, and torches on their phones
  • any person with a disability can be helped by anyone over the age of 18, including the presiding officer, to complete their ballot paper. A simple form will need to be completed before the ballot paper can be issued.

How to use a Tactile Voting Device (TVD)

  • polling station staff will attach the TVD to the ballot paper to align the numbers on the flaps with the voting box for each candidate
  • a companion or the presiding officer can then read out, in order, the name, description and number flap of each candidate
  • when you know how you want to vote, you can lift the relevant flap, mark the ballot paper, and replace the flap
  • the TVD can then be removed and the ballot paper put in the ballot box

Alternative ways to vote

If you don't want to go to the polling station to vote, you can apply for a postal vote where a ballot paper is sent to you, or proxy vote where a person can vote on your behalf.

Need more information?

For more information or if you have any specific concerns, please contact the Elections Team:

Extended voting rights for British Citizens living overseas

The 15 year limit on voting for British Citizens living abroad will be removed.  Any British Citizens who were previously registered to vote in the UK or who previously lived in the UK will be able to register as an overseas elector. 

British citizens living abroad will be required to re-register every three years.

These changes are expected to come into force from 1 January 2024.

EU citizens voting and candidacy rights

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

Two groups of EU citizens will retain these rights:

Qualifying EU citizens

These are citizens from countries with reciprocal agreements who have leave to remain in the UK or who do not need leave to remain in the UK. These are: 

  • Luxembourg
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Spain

EU Citizens with retained rights

These are:

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

These changes will apply to:

  • all local elections and referendums in England
  • Mayor of London and London Assembly elections

We expect that these changes will take place by May 2024.

Overseas electors

Changes to overseas electors' rights include:

  • the 15-year limit on voting for British citizens living overseas will be removed
  • going forward any British citizen, who was previously registered to vote in the UK or who previously lived in the UK, will be able to register to vote regardless of how long they have lived abroad
  • the renewal period for overseas electors will be changing from yearly to every 3 years

We expect that these changes will take place by May 2024.

First past the post voting system

From May 2023 the voting system will be changing from a ‘supplementary vote system’ to a simple majority voting system, also known as ‘first past the post’.

In ‘first past the post’ voting you only vote for one candidate and the candidate with the most votes wins. Candidates no longer need to get a certain number of votes; they just need to get more than any other candidate.

The voting system will be changed in all elections for:

  • local authority (council) mayors in England
  • combined authority mayors
  • Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales
  • the London Mayor