How can I vote if I don't have a photo ID? There are less than two weeks to go until polling stations open A person holding their passport and poll card next to a sign. (Image: BBC ) The first local elections since Labour were voted into power in the 2024 General Election will be taking place next month. On May 1, 2025, millions of people will go out to vote for 1,631 council seats, 23 county, unitary and metropolitan councils, and six directly elected mayors. ‌ It's important that you use your right to vote in order to have your say in how services are run in your community. In the 2023 local elections, thousands of people did not exercise their right to vote because they didn't have the correct ID. According to council data collected by the BBC at the time, 26,165 voters were initially denied ballot papers at polling stations. Article continues below Of these, 16,588 people came back with valid ID, while 9,577 did not return. If you're registered to vote but you don't have an accepted form of photo ID, or you feel that you no longer look like the photo displayed on your identification, there is a very simple way around this - one that not everyone is aware of. All you need to do is apply for a free document called a voter authority certificate. ‌ The deadline to apply for a certificate to use in the upcoming elections is 5pm on Wednesday, April 23. Voters in England whose ID is lost or stolen after the deadline can apply for an emergency proxy vote up until 5pm on polling day. Both they and their proxy - a person nominated to vote on their behalf - must already be registered to vote. ‌ Voters in Northern Ireland who do not have the correct ID can use an electoral identity card. Alternatively, you don't need photo ID to vote by post. This option is primarily for people whose work, school or college schedule makes it difficult to get to the polling station when it’s open, or they will be out of the country at the time. Article continues below You can also choose to vote by post simply because it would be easier for you. If you decide you'd like to avail of this option, you need to apply to vote by post with your local elections team no later than 5pm on Sunday 20 April. You can download a postal vote application form here, or on the government website.