Chelmsford residents need photo ID to vote at elections in May

For the first time, residents in Chelmsford will need to show photographic ID to vote at a polling station at this year's local elections. Residents are urged to ensure they are ready to vote in May by checking they have an accepted form of photo ID.

Accepted forms of photo ID for voting

Some of the photographic identification that is accepted includes:

• a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport
• a UK or EEA drivers' licence
• some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person's bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card.

Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

If you haven't got photo ID…

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID online at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk or by completing a paper form. Voters needing an ID certificate will need to apply for it by Tuesday 25 April. Alternatively, you can apply for a postal vote.

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission's website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.

Anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must also be registered to vote. It only takes five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Voters who wish to apply to their council for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote.

The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station, is a new requirement, introduced by the UK Government's Elections Act which was passed last year and comes into effect for the first time this May.