Elections Act 2022
The Elections Act 2022 was granted Royal Assent and passed into law on 28 April 2022. It brought significant changes to the way elections are run. One of the most significant changes is that you need to show photographic identification (ID) when you attend a polling station to cast your vote.
Not all of the changes have been announced, so this is a summary of what we know so far, and we'll update it once we know more.
You will have to show an official form of photo ID when you attend a polling station to vote.
If you do not have an official form of photo ID
You can Apply for photo ID to vote (called a 'Voter Authority Certificate') . It's free to apply, you will need:
- a recent, digital photo of yourself
- your National Insurance number
You can still apply if you do not have a National Insurance number. You'll need to provide other documents to prove your identity, for example a birth certificate, bank statement and utility bill.
If you know somebody who does not have access to the internet
They can apply for a voter certificate in person at these locations during opening hours:
If you would like to apply for the voter authority certificate using a paper form please contact:
- Email electoral.registration@kirklees.gov.uk
- Phone 01484 221650 - Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4:45pm
EU citizens are no longer automatically entitled to register, vote or stand for election.
Two groups of EU citizens retain their rights:
Qualifying EU CitizensCitizens from countries with reciprocal agreements with the UK. These individuals can vote and stand in UK elections (excluding UK Parliament elections):
- Denmark
- Poland
- Spain
- Portugal
- Luxembourg
Those who were legally resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 and have maintained lawful immigration status.
Citizens of Ireland, Malta and Cyprus are not affected by these changes due to separate legal arrangements. They can continue to vote and stand in all UK elections.
If you're unsure about your eligibility, you can Contact Electoral Services or see Changes for EU citizens in some UK elections for further information.
Extra support will be provided to voters with disabilities when voting in person at a polling station.
A disabled voter can be accompanied by anyone over the age of 18 at a polling station.
Request extra support at polling stations
Fill in our simple online form.
Clock Completing this form takes only 2 minutes.
Request extra support at polling stationsAfter you've requested support
The Returning Officer will review your request and look at the options available to support you. A member of the Electoral Services Team will be in touch within 10 working days with further information
Absent voting allows you to vote in an election if you are unable to vote in person at the polling station on the day. For example you might be on holiday or at work, you might have a medical condition or disability which makes it difficult to attend the polling station or you simply may choose not to vote at the polling station in person.
There are two types of absent voting:
Postal voting
Postal voters must reapply to vote by post every 3 years, the Electoral Services Team will contact you when it is time to reapply for your postal vote.
To reapply, voters must provide their:
- Date of birth
- National Insurance number
- Handwritten signature
Political parties and campaigners will be banned from handling postal vote packs.
There will be a limit on the number of postal vote packs that a person can hand in at a polling station.
Proxy voting
You will only be able to act as a proxy for up to 2 people living in the UK (or a maximum of 4 people, with 2 people living in the UK and 2 people registered as living overseas).
The 15-year rule has been removed. Previously, British citizens abroad could only vote if they had been registered in the UK within the last 15 years. That restriction is now abolished.
British citizens living abroad will be required to re-register every 3 years.
For more information see Overseas voters