Do I need photo ID to vote in 2024 local elections?

The local elections are just around the corner, with all 10 councils in Greater Manchester holding a poll on May 2.

That’s alongside the election for the Greater Manchester mayor, which will be held on the same day.

As parties have now confirmed who will be standing in each ward, candidates will be hitting the campaign trail hard to convince voters they’re the right choice.

However, to vote, residents need to hit certain requirements.

Firstly, they need to be registered to vote in one of Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs - Oldham, Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan - to have their say in their respective council election and the mayoral race.

Registration closes at 11:59pm on April 16, and you can register online here, or access a form to register by post here.

However, that isn’t the only hurdle you need to clear.

The newest extra requirement is to bring valid photographic identification with you to your polling station to receive a ballot paper and cast your vote.

The rule was brought in for local elections last year, and the 2024 mayoral race will be the first in Greater Manchester where the law is in force.

There are a range of accepted IDs, including passports and driving licences.

You cannot show a photocopy of the ID, it must be the original card or document. 

If you don’t have an in-date ID, you can show one of the below forms of ID which will be accepted if the photo still looks like you and it has the same name you used to register to vote.

There is also an alternative method to meet the ID requirements, called a Voter Authority Certificate.

Here are all of the accepted forms of photo ID for the 2024 local and mayoral elections.

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 document
Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
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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