- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (13/01/2023)
- Original (As made)
No versions valid at: 13/01/2023
Point in time view as at 13/01/2023.
There are currently no known outstanding effects for the The Voter Identification Regulations 2022.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. At the current time any known changes or effects made by subsequent legislation have been applied to the text of the legislation you are viewing by the editorial team. Please see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for details regarding the timescales for which new effects are identified and recorded on this site.
Valid from 16/01/2023
Commencement Information
I1Sch. 1 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
These Regulations are made under the following powers—
(a)the following provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1983—
(i)sections 9B(1A), 13BD(3), (4), (8), (9), (10) and (11), 13BE(3), (4), (8), (9), (10), (11) and (12), 53(1)(ba) and (4), 56(1) and (5) (including that section as applied in relation to Scotland by section 57(1)) and 201(3)(1);
(ii)in Schedule 1, rule 28(3), 29(3ZA), 40B(1), (2) and (5)(b) and 56A(1), (2) and (3) (including that rule as modified by rule 58(2)(ba))(2);
(iii)in Schedule 2, paragraphs 1(2), (2A) and (4), 1A(1), (2) and (3), 3ZA(1), (2)(a), (2A) and (3A), 8BA(1), (3) and (4), 8C, 10B(1)(a), 11(3) and 13(1) and (1ZB)(3);
(b)section 15(5) of the Representation of the People Act 1985;
(c)paragraph 16 of Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (including as applied by section 38A(3) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004(4));
(d)sections 52ZQ and 113(1) and (2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992(5);
(e)paragraphs 4(2)(c) and 6(7) and (8) of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000(6);
(f)sections 9HE(1), 9MG(2) to (5) and 105(2) and (3) of the Local Government Act 2000;
(g)sections 114(1) and 117(1A) of, and paragraph 12 of Schedule 5B to, the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009(7);
(h)section 58(1) (including as extended by section 26(3) of the Welsh Language Act 1993) and 154(5) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011(8);
(i)section 18(1) of the Recall of MPs Act 2015.
Regulation 4(3)(a)
1. A photograph included in an identity document application (“the photograph”) must meet the following requirements.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I2Sch. 2 para. 1 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
2. The photograph must be a close-up photograph of the head and shoulders of the applicant.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I3Sch. 2 para. 2 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
3.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the photograph must show the full head of the applicant (without any other person visible or any covering, unless it is worn for religious beliefs or medical reasons)—E+W+S
(a)facing forward,
(b)with nothing covering the face,
(c)looking straight at the camera,
(d)with a plain facial expression, and
(e)with eyes open and clearly visible (e.g. without sunglasses and not obscured with hair etc.).
(2) The requirements in paragraph (1)(d) and (e) do not apply where the applicant is unable to provide a photograph which complies with either or both of those requirements (as the case may be) due to any disability.
Commencement Information
I4Sch. 2 para. 3 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
4. The photograph must be in colour and taken against a plain, light background.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I5Sch. 2 para. 4 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
5. The photograph must be—E+W+S
(a)in sharp focus and clear,
(b)free from “redeye”, shadows which obscure the face, or reflection,
(c)undamaged, and
(d)a true likeness of the applicant, without amendment or manipulation.
Commencement Information
I6Sch. 2 para. 5 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
6. For an application made other than via the digital service, the photograph must be—E+W+S
(a)at least 45 millimetres in height and at least 35 millimetres in width, and
(b)no more than 297 millimetres in height and no larger than 210 millimetres in width.
Commencement Information
I7Sch. 2 para. 6 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
7. For an application made via the digital service, the photograph must be—E+W+S
(a)at least 750 pixels in height and at least 600 pixels in width, and
(b)contained in an electronic file which is no more than 20MB in size.
Commencement Information
I8Sch. 2 para. 7 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Regulation 15(2)
1.—(1) The anonymous elector’s document must be 297 millimetres in height and 210 millimetres in width.
(2) The design of the anonymous elector’s document must include—
(a)each of the following, all on the front side of the document—
(i)space for the electoral number of the anonymous elector it is issued to;
(ii)space for a photograph of the anonymous elector it is issued to;
(iii)space for the date of issue of the document;
(iv)space for the appropriate identifier allocated to the document by the registration officer in accordance with regulation 16(1)(e);
(v)one or more security features recommended by the Home Secretary;
(b)for the design of the dual Welsh and English version of the anonymous elector’s document in accordance with regulation 15(1)(d), the Welsh equivalent of any text shown in English.
Commencement Information
I9Sch. 3 para. 1 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
2.—(1) The electoral identity document must be 297 millimetres in height and 210 millimetres in width.
(2) The design of the electoral identity document must include—
(a)each of the following, all on the front side of the document—
(i)space for the full name of the elector it is issued to;
(ii)space for a photograph of the elector it is issued to;
(iii)space for the date of issue of the document;
(iv)space for the appropriate identifier allocated to the document by the registration officer in accordance with regulation 16(1)(e);
(v)the words “Issued by the electoral registration officer appointed by” and space for the name of the local authority added to the document by the registration officer in accordance with regulation 16(1)(f)(i);
(vi)space for the recommended renewal date for the document to be added to the document by the registration officer in accordance with regulation 16(1)(f)(ii);
(vii)one or more security features recommended by the Home Secretary;
(b)for the design of the dual Welsh and English version of the electoral identity document in accordance with regulation 15(1)(d), the Welsh equivalent of any text shown in English.
Commencement Information
I10Sch. 3 para. 2 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
3.—(1) The temporary electoral identity document must be 297 millimetres in height and 210 millimetres in width.
(2) The design of the temporary electoral identity document must include—
(a)each of the following, all on the front side of the document—
(i)space for the full name of the elector it is issued to;
(ii)space for a photograph of the elector it is issued to;
(iii)space for the date of issue of the document;
(iv)space for the appropriate identifier allocated to the document by the registration officer in accordance with regulation 19(2)(b)(iv);
(v)the words “Issued by the electoral registration officer appointed by” and space for the name of the local authority added to the document by the registration officer in accordance with regulation 19(2)(b)(iii);
(vi)space for the date on which the document is valid for use at a poll;
(vii)space for a registration officer’s signature;
(b)for the design of the dual Welsh and English version of the temporary electoral identity document in accordance with regulation 15(1)(d), the Welsh equivalent of any text shown in English.
Commencement Information
I11Sch. 3 para. 3 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Regulation 31
Commencement Information
I12Sch. 4 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Regulation 37(d)
Commencement Information
I13Sch. 5 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Form of directions for the guidance of the voters in voting
Regulations 38(11) and 39(11)
Commencement Information
I14Sch. 6 Pt. 1 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Form A: Official poll card (to be sent to an elector voting in person)
Front of form
Rear of form
Form B: Official proxy poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)
Front of form
Rear of form
Commencement Information
I15Sch. 6 Pt. 2 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Form A: Official poll card (to be sent to an elector voting in person)
Front of form
Rear of form
Form B: Official proxy poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)
Front of form
Rear of form
Regulations 43(16) and 45(16)
Commencement Information
I16Sch. 7 Pt. 1 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Form 8A: Elector’s official poll card (for use at mayoral elections in England)
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 10A: Official proxy poll card (for use at mayoral elections in England)
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 11A: Ballot paper refusal list
Form 12A: Directions for the guidance of voters (for use at mayoral elections in England)
Commencement Information
I17Sch. 7 Pt. 2 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Form 8A: Elector’s official poll card (for use at mayoral elections in England)
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 10A: Official proxy poll card (for use at mayoral elections in England)
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 11A: Ballot paper refusal list
Form 12A: Directions for the guidance of voters (for use at mayoral elections in England)
Regulations 48(17) and 50(17)
Commencement Information
I18Sch. 8 Pt. 1 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Official Poll Card (to be sent to a voter voting in person)
Front of form
Rear of form
Official Proxy Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)
Front of form
Rear of form
Ballot paper refusal list
Form of directions for the guidance of the voters and proxies in voting
Commencement Information
I19Sch. 8 Pt. 2 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Official Poll Card (to be sent to a voter voting in person)
Front of form
Rear of form
Official Proxy Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)
Front of form
Rear of form
Ballot paper refusal list
Form of directions for the guidance of the voters and proxies in voting
Regulations 52(17) and 54(17)
Commencement Information
I20Sch. 9 Pt. 1 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Official Poll Card (to be sent to a voter voting in person)
Front of form
Rear of form
Official Proxy Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)
Front of form
Rear of form
Ballot paper refusal list
Form of directions for the guidance of the voters and proxies in voting
Commencement Information
I21Sch. 9 Pt. 2 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Official Poll Card (to be sent to a voter voting in person)
Front of form
Rear of form
Official Proxy Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)
Front of form
Rear of form
Ballot paper refusal list
Form of directions for the guidance of the voters and proxies in voting
Regulations 59(3) and 60(15)
Commencement Information
I22Sch. 10 Pt. 1 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Front of form
Rear of form
Commencement Information
I23Sch. 10 Pt. 2 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Form 11: Official poll card
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 13: Official proxy poll card
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 14A: Ballot paper refusal list
Form 16: Notice for guidance of voters for exhibition inside and outside polling station
Regulations 64(17) and 66(17)
Commencement Information
I24Sch. 11 Pt. 1 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Form 7: Official poll card
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 9: Official proxy poll card
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 10A: Ballot paper refusal list
Form 11: Form of directions for the guidance of the voters and proxies in voting
Commencement Information
I25Sch. 11 Pt. 2 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Form 8: Official poll card
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 10: Official proxy poll card
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 11A: Ballot paper refusal list
Form 12: Form of directions for the guidance of the voters and proxies in voting
Regulation 92(a)
Commencement Information
I26Sch. 12 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Form D: Official petition notice for an elector who may sign the petition in person
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Form F: Official petition notice for a proxy who may sign the petition in person
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Form G1: Signing sheet refusal list
Form H: Guidance for person signing the petition
Form J: Proxy paper
Regulations 94(17) and 96(17)
Commencement Information
I27Sch. 13 Pt. 1 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Form 8: Official poll card
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 10: Official proxy poll card
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 11A: Ballot paper refusal list
Form 12: Directions for the guidance of voters in voting
Commencement Information
I28Sch. 13 Pt. 2 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Form 8: Official poll card
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 10: Official proxy poll card
Front of form
Rear of form
Form 11A: Ballot paper refusal list
Form 12: Directions for the guidance of voters in voting
Regulation 97(3) and (4)
Commencement Information
I29Sch. 14 Pt. 1 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Person sy’n gwneud cais am bapur pleidleisio | Cwestiynau |
---|---|
1 Person sy’n gwneud cais fel etholwr | (za) Beth yw’ch enw? (zb) Beth yw’ch cyfeiriad? (a) Ai chi yw’r person sydd wedi’i gofrestru ar y gofrestr etholwyr fel a ganlyn ( rhaid i chi ddarllen yn uchel y cofnod cyfan o’r gofrestr)? [R] (b) A ydych eisoes wedi pleidleisio yn yr etholiad hwn ar gyfer comisiynydd yr heddlu a throseddu, naill ai yma neu rywle arall, ac eithrio fel dirprwy i rywun arall? [R] |
2 Person sy’n gwneud cais fel dirprwy | (za) Beth yw’ch enw? (zb) Beth yw’ch cyfeiriad? (a) Ai chi yw’r person y mae ei enw yn ymddangos fel A B ar y rhestr dirprwyon ar gyfer yr etholiad hwn ar gyfer comisiynydd yr heddlu a throseddu fel y person sydd â hawl i bleidleisio fel dirprwy ar ran C D? [R] (b) A ydych eisoes wedi pleidleisio yn yr etholiad hwn ar gyfer comisiynydd yr heddlu a throseddu, naill ai yma neu rywle arall, fel y person sydd â hawl i bleidleisio fel dirprwy ar ran C D? [R] (c) Ai chi yw gŵr/gwraig, partner sifil, rhiant, tad-cu/mam-gu, brawd/chwaer, plentyn neu ŵyr/wyres C D? [R] |
3 Person sy’n gwneud cais fel dirprwy ar gyfer etholwr â chofnod dienw (yn hytrach na’r cwestiynau yng nghofnod 2) | (za) Beth yw’ch enw? (zb) Beth yw’ch cyfeiriad? (a) Ai chi yw’r person y mae hawl ganddo bleidleisio fel dirprwy ar ran yr etholwr sydd â’r rhif ( darllenwch yn uchel rif yr etholwr o’r gofrestr) ar y gofrestr etholwyr? [R] (b) A ydych eisoes wedi pleidleisio yn yr etholiad hwn ar gyfer comisiynydd yr heddlu a throseddu, yma neu rywle arall, fel dirprwy ar ran yr etholwr sydd â’r rhif ( darllenwch yn uchel rif yr etholwr o’r gofrestr) ar y gofrestr etholwyr? [R] (c) A ydych yn ŵr/gwraig, yn bartner sifil, yn rhiant, yn dad-cu/mam-gu, yn frawd/chwaer, yn blentyn neu’n ŵyr/wyres i’r etholwr sydd â’r rhif ( darllenwch yn uchel rif yr etholwr o’r gofrestr) ar y gofrestr etholwyr? [R] |
4 Person sy’n gwneud cais fel dirprwy os na roddir ateb cadarnhaol i’r cwestiwn yng nghofnod 2(c) neu 3(c) (os ydynt yn berthnasol) | A ydych eisoes wedi pleidleisio yn yr etholiad hwn ar gyfer comisiynydd yr heddlu a throseddu, yma neu rywle arall, ar ran dau berson nad ydych yn ŵr/gwraig, yn bartner sifil, yn rhiant, yn dad-cu/mam-gu, yn frawd/chwaer, yn blentyn neu’n ŵyr/wyres iddynt? [R] |
5 Person sy’n gwneud cais fel etholwr y mae cofnod ganddo ar y rhestr pleidleiswyr post | (za) Beth yw’ch enw? (zb) Beth yw’ch cyfeiriad? (a) A wnaethoch gais i bleidleisio drwy’r post? (b) Pam nad ydych wedi pleidleisio drwy’r post? |
6 Person sy’n gwneud cais fel dirprwy y mae cofnod ganddo ar y rhestr dirprwyon sy’n pleidleisio drwy’r post | (za) Beth yw’ch enw? (zb) Beth yw’ch cyfeiriad? (a) A wnaethoch gais i bleidleisio drwy’r post fel dirprwy? (b) Pam nad ydych wedi pleidleisio drwy’r post fel dirprwy?” |
Commencement Information
I30Sch. 14 Pt. 2 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)
Form/Ffurflen 1: Proxy paper at particular PCC election/Papur pleidleisio drwy ddirprwy mewn etholiad penodol ar gyfer Comisiynydd yr Heddlu a Throseddu
Page/Tudalen 1
Page/Tudalen 2
Page/Tudalen 3
Form/Ffurflen 11: Poll Card/Cerdyn pleidleisio
Page/Tudalen 1
Page/Tudalen 2
Form/Ffurflen 13: Proxy poll card/Cerdyn pleisdleisio dirprwy
Page/Tudalen 1
Page/Tudalen 2
Form/Ffurflen 14A: Ballot paper refusal list/Rhestr o Achosion o Wrthod Rhoi Papur Pleidleisio
Page/Tudalen 1
Page/Tudalen 2
Form/Flurflen 16: Notice for guidance of voters for exhibition inside and outside polling station/Hysbysiad canllaw i bleidleiswyr i’w arddangos y tu mewn a’r tu allan i’r orsaf bleidleisio
Section 53(1)(ba) was inserted by paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Elections Act 2022 (c. 37). Section 53(4) was inserted by paragraph 109 of Schedule 1 to the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22). See section 202(1) for the meaning of “prescribed” in section 56(1) and (5). Section 201(3) was inserted by paragraph 21 of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2) and amended by paragraph 6 of Schedule 21 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41).
See section 202(1) for the meaning of “prescribed” in rules 29(3ZA) and 40B(2) and (5)(b). Rule 28(3) was amended by paragraph 70 of Schedule 1 to the Electoral Administration Act 2006. Rules 56A and 58(2)(ba) were inserted by paragraphs 30 and 32 of Schedule 1 to the Elections Act 2022 respectively.
Paragraph 1 was amended by paragraph 68(18) of Schedule 16 to the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 (c. 19); by paragraph 24 of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (“the 2000 Act”); by section 6 of the Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 13); by paragraph 15 of Schedule 1 to the Electoral Administration Act 2006; by section 7(3) of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 33); by section 2 of, and paragraph 20 of Schedule 4 to, the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6) (“the 2013 Act”); by sections 6(1) and (2) and 20(2)(a) of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 (c. 13) (“the 2014 Act”) and by paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the Elections Act 2022 (“the 2022 Act”). See paragraph 1(5A) for the meaning of “registration duties” in paragraph 1. Paragraph 1A was inserted by paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the 2013 Act and was amended by section 20(2)(b) of the 2014 Act, by paragraph 18 of Schedule 19 to the Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12) and by paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 to the 2022 Act. Paragraph 3ZA was inserted by section 2(3) of the 2013 Act, and was amended by paragraph 5 of Schedule 2 to the 2022 Act. Paragraph 8BA was inserted by paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 to the 2022 Act. Paragraph 8C was inserted by paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the 2013 Act, and was amended by section 20(2)(c) of the 2014 Act; by paragraph 18 of Schedule 19 to the Data Protection Act 2018; and by paragraph 10 of Schedule 2 to the 2022 Act. Paragraph 10B was inserted, and paragraph 11 was substituted, by section 9(2) of the 2000 Act. Paragraph 13(1) was amended by paragraph 11 of Schedule 6 to the 2000 Act. Paragraph 13(1ZB) was inserted by paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 to the 2013 Act. See section 85(2) of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), the effect of which is that provision made under paragraph 13(1ZB) creating an offence may provide for an offence punishable on summary conviction by a fine of any amount.
2004 c. 5. Section 38A was inserted by paragraph 7 of Schedule 9 to the Localism Act 2011 (c. 20).
Section 113(1) and (2) was amended by paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 to the Local Government Act 1999 (c. 27), by paragraph 52 of Schedule 7 to the Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), by section 80 of the Localism Act 2011 and by S.I. 2013/2597. 2015/1376, 2016/997, 2021/1265.
See section 202(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2), as read with paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 for the meaning of “prescribed”.
Section 117(1A) was inserted by paragraph 29 of Schedule 5 to the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1).
Section 154(5) was amended by S.I. 2014/268, 2021/1265.
The Whole Instrument you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Explanatory Memorandum sets out a brief statement of the purpose of a Statutory Instrument and provides information about its policy objective and policy implications. They aim to make the Statutory Instrument accessible to readers who are not legally qualified and accompany any Statutory Instrument or Draft Statutory Instrument laid before Parliament from June 2004 onwards.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Impact Assessments generally accompany all UK Government interventions of a regulatory nature that affect the private sector, civil society organisations and public services. They apply regardless of whether the regulation originates from a domestic or international source and can accompany primary (Acts etc) and secondary legislation (SIs). An Impact Assessment allows those with an interest in the policy area to understand:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: