Voters across England are facing a critical deadline today, with just hours left to apply for the Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) needed to vote in next week’s local and mayoral elections.
Polling stations open on Wednesday, 1 May, but anyone without an accepted form of photo identification must apply for the free certificate before 5pm today.
The stakes are high, with 1,641 council seats being contested across 23 local authorities. These elections will also decide four combined authority mayor, two local mayoralities, and feature a parliamentary by-election in Runcorn & Helsby.
Only specific forms of photo ID will be accepted at polling stations. These include:
- Valid passports
- Photocard driving licences
- Blue Badges
- Older person’s bus passes
Anyone lacking these documents must act fast to obtain a Voter Authority Certificate. Applications can be made online at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or through a paper form available from your local council.
Jackie Killeen, Director of Electoral Administration and Regulation at the Electoral Commission, stressed the urgency: “Voters will be required to show photo ID at polling stations next week. Our research shows that the vast majority of voters already have an accepted form of ID, but for those that do not, the free ID is an important option.”
“Time is running out to apply for the free ID, so we are calling on anyone who needs it to make sure they have submitted their application by 5pm on Wednesday so that they can cast their vote on May 1.”
Applications for VACS are seeing a slight uptick. The latest figures show 219 applications per day in the week to 21 April – a modest increase from previous weeks. However, certain age groups are underrepresented:
- 9% of applicants were under 25
- 4% were 75 or older
- The 55-64 age group led with 28% of total applications
Other demographics included:
| Age Group | Share of Applications |
|---|---|
| 45-54 years | 22% |
| 35-44 years | 19% |
| 25-34 years | 10% |
| 65-74 years | 8% |
No elections are scheduled in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland on 1 May. However, this marks the first significant electoral test for UK political parties since Labour’s general election win in July 2024.
Among the English authorities going to the polls are:
- County Councils: Cambridgeshire, Devon, Kent, Staffordshire and others
- Unitary Authorities: Cornwall, Durham, Northumberland, Wiltshire
- Metropolitan Borough: Doncaster
All seats are up for grabs, though some areas will elect fewer councillors due to boundary changes.
Triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury, the Runcorn & Helsby by-election follows his suspended sentence for a public assault in October 2024. Amesbury had been serving as an independent MP since his suspension.
To apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, you will need:
- A recent photo
- Full name and date of birth
- Your address as registered to vote
- National Insurance number
Don’t delay. Without this document or an accepted ID, you won’t be allowed to vote.
With just hours left before the deadline, voters without a valid ID are urged to act swiftly. As England heads into one of the most wide-reaching local elections in recent years, ensuring you have the right documentation is essential to have your say.
