You'll need to provide photographic ID if you plan to vote at a polling station in the PCC or future elections.

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

You'll only need to show one form of photo ID, but it needs to be the original version and not a photocopy. The name on your ID must be the same name you used to register to vote.

For more information, including the full list of accepted forms of photo ID, visit the Electoral Commission's Voter ID webpage or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

If you haven’t got an accepted form of photo ID

If you haven't already got 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.

Alternatively, you can complete a paper application form and send this to your local Electoral Registration Officer.

The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate to use at the PCC elections on 2 May is 5pm, Wednesday 24 April.

If you need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or want to request an application form, contact your local Electoral Registration Officer. You can find their contact details by entering your postcode into the search bar on the Electoral Commission’s Voting and elections webpage.

Voting by post and by proxy

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can vote by post or ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you, which is called a proxy vote.

Changes to voting by post and proxy

You can now apply online to vote by post and for some types of proxy vote. You also need to prove your identity when applying, by providing your National Insurance number.

There are limits to how many people a voter can act as a proxy for. This means you can only act as a proxy for two people living in the UK. If you act as a proxy for people living overseas, you can act as proxy for up to four people but only two of these can be based in the UK.

Handing in your postal vote

From May, voters will not be allowed to hand in more than five postal ballot packs per poll, in addition to their own.

There will also be a new criminal offence to stop parties and campaigners handling postal votes for other voters who are not close relatives or someone for whom they provide regular care. Individuals who are under 18 are not allowed to hand in postal votes in polling stations.

How many people can act as a proxy?

Voters will now only be able to act as a proxy for up to 2 people living in the UK (a maximum of 4 people, with 2 people living in the UK and 2 people registered as living overseas) in elections where the changes apply.

Will postal and proxy voters need to show photo ID in order to vote with the new measures?

Voters will not need to show photo ID in order to apply by post or proxy. Although anyone acting as a proxy to vote on someone’s behalf will need to show their photo ID at the polling station in elections where the ID requirement applies.

Find out more

If you have any questions or would like to find out more, visit the Voting and elections webpage or call the Electoral Commission's helpline on 0800 328 0280.