Do you have the right ID to vote?
Released: Thursday, 16 February 2023
The government has brought in new legislation which requires voters to show photo ID when voting at polling stations in some elections.
The new rules will be in place in time for the Worthing local elections on 4th May 2023, so Worthing residents who are voting in person will need to check that they have a valid form of photographic ID which looks like them.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include passports, driving licences, and older persons' bus passes. The ID will need to be taken with you to the polling station when you vote.
Anyone who doesn't have an accepted form of ID, or who is worried about taking important documents such as a passport to the polling station, can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. These can be presented at the polling station on election day instead of a photo ID.
Voters can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online, or by filling out a paper application form to be submitted to the Council. The physical application forms can be requested from our Electoral Services department by post, or picked up from Worthing Town Hall.
We will also be operating an 'in person' service for those who want to apply, where residents can go to fill in the form and at the same time have their photo taken for the application.
Residents must already be registered to vote to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, and the deadline to submit an application in time for the 4th May local elections is Tuesday 25th April 2023 before 5pm.
For more information about the new legislation, and to see a complete list of accepted forms of ID, see:
To apply online for photo ID to vote, visit:
See also:
(PR23-017)
Page last updated: 31 March 2023