1. Where is the polling station?
2. Do I need to show photo ID in order to vote?
3. What forms of photo ID can I use?
4. My photo ID has an old address on it. Can I still use it?
5. My name on my photo ID does not match my name on the electoral register. Can I still use it?
6. I don’t have any photo ID. What can I do?
7. What is the deadline for applications for a Voter Authority Certificate?
8. What if the accepted photo ID I was intending to use is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed after the deadline for applications for a Voter Authority Certificate has passed?
9. For how long is a Voter Authority Certificate valid?
10. What provisions are made at the polling station for people with a disability?
11. There is some other piece of equipment that would make voting more accessible for me at the polling station. Could you get it?
1. Where is the polling station?
There is one polling station on each island:
• St Agnes - Island Hall, New Lane
• Bryher - Community Centre, Timmy’s Hill
• St Martin’s - Island Hall, St Martin’s Road
• St Mary’s - Old Wesleyan Chapel (rear entrance), Garrison Lane
• Tresco - Community Centre, Block House Lane
2. Do I need to show photo ID in order to vote?
Yes. All electors voting in a polling station will need to show photo ID to the polling station staff in order to be issued with a ballot paper.
This is a new requirement introduced by the Elections Act 2022.
3. What forms of photo ID can I use?
Common forms of accepted photo ID include:
• a UK, EEA, or Commonwealth passport (including an Irish Passport Card)
• a UK or EEA photocard driving licence
• a proof of age card bearing a PASS hologram
• a blue badge
Out-of-date documents can be used if the photograph still looks like you.
A full list of the acceptable forms of photo ID is available here.
4. My photo ID has an old address on it. Can I still use it?
Yes. Polling station staff will not consider information on the photo ID other than your name and photograph when checking it.
5. My name on my photo ID does not match my name on the electoral register. Can I still use it?
The Presiding Officer at the polling station will ask you to explain why your name on your photo ID is different from your name on the electoral register. (For example, you might have got married since registering to vote.)
If the Presiding Officer is satisfied with the explanation, they will ask you the ‘prescribed questions’ in which you will be required to declare that you are the person referred to on the electoral register. If you answer the prescribed questions satisfactorily, you will be issued with a ballot paper.
6. I don’t have any photo ID. What can I do?
If you don’t have an acceptable form of photo ID, you can apply online for a free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
You can also apply by completing a paper application form and posting or emailing it to Electoral Services. You can download the relevant form here.
If you can’t print the form, please contact Electoral Services and we will be happy to send you a copy in the post.
Alternatively you could consider voting by post (as this does not require you to have photo ID).
7. What is the deadline for applications for a Voter Authority Certificate?
In order to take effect for the PCC election on Thursday 2 May 2024, applications for a Voter Authority Certificate must be received by 5pm Wednesday 24 April 2024.
8. What if the accepted photo ID I was intending to use is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed after the deadline for applications for a Voter Authority Certificate has passed?
In these circumstances, you would be able to apply for an emergency proxy (i.e. appointing somebody you trust to vote on your behalf) up to 5pm on polling day. Please contact Electoral Services if you would like to discuss the option of appointing an emergency proxy.
You can also appoint an emergency proxy if:
• you applied for a form of accepted photo ID (including a Voter Authority Certificate) in the three months before the deadline but it has not arrived (and the application has not been refused or withdrawn); or
• you have sent your accepted photo ID (that you would otherwise use to vote in person) to another person to prove your identity and you consider it unlikely that it will be returned in time for polling day.
9. For how long is a Voter Authority Certificate valid?
Voter Authority Certificates do not have an expiration date.
It is recommended, however, that you renew your certificate after 10 years.
10. What provisions are made at the polling station for people with a disability?
The following provisions will be found at all polling stations on the Isles of Scilly:
• An audio-voting device designed to enable the blind and partially sighted to vote independently and in secret. You can watch a short video about this device here.
• An enlarged ballot paper which can be taken into the polling booth for reference purposes.
• A portable hearing loop for the benefit of voters with a hearing aid.
• Step-free access suitable for wheelchair users which is achieved:
- on St Mary’s, by using the rear entrance to the Old Wesleyan Chapel; and
- on the off islands, by installing temporary threshold ramps where necessary.
• A temporary doorbell at the entrance to each polling station so voters can let polling station staff know if they are struggling to access the building.
• A low-level polling booth that is suitable for wheelchair users.
• A lamp in each polling booth.
• A magnifier in each polling booth.
• Pencils with a pencil grip in each polling booth for the benefit of voters with a dexterity impairment.
Voters with a disability can also:
• take their phone into the polling booth to use magnifier or text-to-speech apps, or the phone torch to improve lighting.
• bring a companion with them (who is 18 or over) to the polling station to assist them to vote.
• ask the presiding officer at the polling station to assist them to vote.
11. There is some other piece of equipment that would make voting more accessible for me at the polling station. Could you get it?
Please contact Electoral Services and we will be happy to look into the matter.