Voter ID and accessible voting: all you need to know about the May 2026 elections

The upcoming elections in much of England, as well as all of Scotland and Wales, are an opportunity to have your say. This article outlines the elections taking place, rules around voter ID, postal and proxy voting, and accessible voting.

What elections are taking place?

On Thursday 7 May, voters across much of England will be electing councillors in 136 local authorities (including all of London), as well as six directly elected mayors. Find out if there is a vote in your area by entering your postcode here.

In Scotland, voters will elect all 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) on the same day. While voters in Wales will elect 96 Members of the Senedd (MS).
If you are not registered to vote, and are eligible to do so, you can do so here.

Do I need voter ID?

Voters in England are required to show valid photographic ID at the polling station in order to vote.
Scottish and Welsh voters in 2026 are not required to show ID on this occasion.

Valid identification for the elections in England includes, but is not limited to:

• Passport (issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, any British Overseas Territory or any country in the European Economic Area)
• Driving license (issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, any British Overseas Territory or any country in the European Economic Area)
• A Blue Badge
• An identity card with PASS hologram
• Disabled or Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government

The full list of valid identifications can be read here.

If you don’t have any of the required photo ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate via the UK Government website. You must be registered to vote before you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

Can I vote by post or by proxy?

• Instead of going to your polling station, you can vote by post if you prefer. You don’t need to give a reason, but you must apply in advance. Applications to vote by post can be made here.
  
  
• You can also vote by proxy, which means appointing someone you trust to vote for you at your polling station if you’re unable to do so yourself. You can apply for a proxy vote here.

What are the key deadlines?

• Monday 20 April: Register to vote by 11.59pm
• Tuesday 21 April: Apply for a postal vote by 5pm
• Tuesday 28 April: Apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm
• Tuesday 28 April: Apply for a proxy vote by 5pm.

How accessible is the vote for brain injury survivors?

Returning Officers oversee the running of elections locally and have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments so disabled people can vote without significant barriers.

The Elections Act 2022 strengthened these duties, setting clearer expectations for supporting blind, partially sighted and other disabled voters, including brain injury survivors, at polling stations.

The Electoral Commission says this support should include accessible polling booths, ramps where needed, good lighting, clear staff identification, seating, and aids such as magnifiers, pencil grips, tactile voting devices, and temporary doorbells where doors must remain closed