District Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayor – Thursday, 2 May 2024

Voter ID

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station.

Which forms of ID can I use to vote?

You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable.  You can use any of the following:

• Passport
• Driving licence (including provisional license)
• Blue badge
• Certain concessionary travel cards
• Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• Biometric Immigration document
• Defence identity card
• Certain national identity cards

For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

You can get help from Wakefield Council's Electoral Services team by contacting 01924 305023 or emailing elections@wakefield.gov.uk.

Examples of accepted forms of photo ID can be seen here.

If you don't have an accepted form photo ID

If you don't already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you're not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC).

You can apply for this at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.

The deadline to apply for a VAC is Wednesday, 24 April 2024, at 5pm.

When you apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, whether online or by paper, you need to supply a photograph of yourself which is a good current likeness.

Photo requirements:

Your photo must be:

• clear and in focus
• in colour
• against a plain, light-coloured background
• your true likeness, with no Photoshop or filters

In your photo, make sure you:

• face forward, looking straight at the camera
• are alone, with no other objects or people
• have a plain expression
• have eyes open and visible, with no hair in front of them
• are not wearing sunglasses - normal glasses are fine if you typically wear them
• do not have a head covering (apart from religious or medical coverings)
• do not have 'red-eye', glare, or heavy shadows over your face

You can:

• Provide a standard photo print which must be at least 35mm wide and 45mm tall
• take a new photo with a digital camera, smartphone, or tablet
• upload an existing digital photo
• scan a photo with a scanner

Alternatively, you can complete a paper application form and send this to the Electoral Services Team:

Electoral Services Office
County Hall
Wakefield
WF1 2QW

If you need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or want to request an application form, contact Electoral Services. 

Download information in Easy Read - Voter ID resource - Voter Booklet Easy Read - Group 6 | Electoral Commission.

Voter ID Update and FOI Requests

The Service is currently receiving a number of requests for information about the progress of Voter ID. As this is a very busy period for service we are publishing information about previous requests and responses below. If you need information about the roll-out of voter ID in Wakefield please check the previous requests and responses and updated information below which may well answer your questions. Information on the number of Voter Authority Certificates applied for and issued in the District will be updated weekly.

• Voter FOIs

Postal Vote

If you would like to vote by post in these elections, the deadline to apply is Wednesday, 17 April 2024, at 5pm. You must visit; Apply for a postal vote - GOV UK to apply for a postal vote. Your national insurance number and a photo upload of your handwritten signature is now required.

Proxy Vote

If you would like to vote by proxy in these elections, the deadline to apply is Wednesday, 24 April 2024, at 5pm.  You must visit; Apply for a proxy vote - GOV UK to apply for a proxy vote. You and your nominated proxy must be registered to vote in the UK before you can apply.

Additional Information

Further information and key dates will be added to the web page at a later date.

Please visit A Mayoral Combined Authority - West Yorkshire Combined Authority for further information on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayor election