Elections Act
The Elections Act 2022 became law on 28 April 2022 and introduced a number of changes to how elections are run in the UK.
One of the biggest changes is that voters must show an accepted form of photo ID when voting at a polling station.
The Act also introduced other changes that affect registered voters and the way elections are managed.
Photo ID at the polling station
All registered voters will be required to show an official form of photo ID when attending a polling station to vote in:
- local elections in England
- local referendums in England
- UK Parliamentary by-elections and recall petitions
- Greater London Authority elections
- UK Parliamentary general elections (from 5 October 2023)
Find out more information about Voter ID.
EU Citizens: voting and candidacy rights
Since 7 May 2024, EU citizens have no longer been automatically entitled to register, vote or stand as a candidate in elections.
2 groups of EU citizens retain their voting and candidacy rights:
- Qualifying EU citizens – EU citizens from countries with reciprocal agreements who have 'leave to remain' in the UK, or who do not need 'leave to remain', can still vote and stand in elections. These are currently:
- Denmark
- Luxembourg
- Poland
- Portugal
- Spain
- EU citizens with retained rights – EU Citizens who were living with a lawful immigration status in the UK before 31 December 2020, when the UK left the EU, can also still vote and stand in elections. These are currently:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Netherlands
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sweden
These changes apply to:
- local elections and referendums in England
- Mayor of London and London Assembly elections
When registering to vote online, by post or by phone, EU Citizens who are not from a qualifying country may be asked a ‘historical residency question’ to determine whether they have retained rights.
Electoral Register Eligibility Review
EU Citizens who were already on the electoral register before 7 May 2024 had their eligibility reviewed as part of a one-off Eligibility Confirmation Review (ECR).
The review was carried out to confirm whether EU Citizens on the electoral register had qualifying or retained rights. Electoral Services contacted residents by post, email, telephone and, where necessary, through home visits.
The ECR ended on 31 January 2025. By that date, registered EU Citizens had their eligibility reviewed and were informed of the outcome.
Between 10 October 2024 and 30 October 2024, Electoral Services canvassers attempted to contact electors who had not responded to the ECR by telephone or by visiting their registered address.
Electors who did not respond by 6 November 2024 were removed from the electoral register because their eligibility could not be confirmed.
These changes did not affect citizens of the Republic of Ireland or Commonwealth countries.
Useful links
Changes to postal and proxy voting
Changes you will see
You will have the option to apply for a postal or proxy vote online via GOV.UK. A paper application will still be available on request.
All applications, both online and paper, require an identity check as part of the application process. Applicants will be asked for their National Insurance Number. There will also be an exception and attestation process.
Postal voting
You must reapply to vote by post every 3 years.
If you applied for a postal vote between 31 January 2024 and 30 January 2025, you must reapply by 31 January 2027.
If your postal vote is due to expire in January 2027, Electoral Services will contact you during 2026 to remind you to reapply.
You can apply anytime at GOV.UK – apply for a postal vote.
For more information, see voting methods.
Political parties and campaigners are banned from handling postal vote packs.
There is a limit on the number of postal vote packs that a person can hand in at a polling station.
Proxy votes
You can only act as a proxy for up to 2 people living in the UK (or a maximum of 4 people, with 2 people living in the UK and 2 people registered as living overseas).
Find out more about postal and proxy voting.
Accessibility at polling stations
Changes you will see
Extra support will be provided to voters with disabilities when voting in person at a polling station.
A disabled voter can be accompanied by anyone over the age of 18 at a polling station.
Find out about accessibility at polling stations.
Extended voting rights for British citizens living overseas
Changes you will see
The 15-year limit on voting for British citizens living abroad will be removed. Any British citizens who were previously registered to vote in the UK or who previously lived in the UK will be able to register as an overseas elector.
British citizens living abroad and registered to vote as overseas electors will need to renew their declaration every 3 years.
Overseas electors who registered to vote on or before 31 October 2024 will need to renew their declaration before 1 November 2026. The relevant electors have been contacted with instructions on how to renew their declaration. If you do not renew your declaration by 1 November 2026, your declaration will expire and your registration will be removed. If your registration has been removed and you want to vote, you will need to make a new application to register as an overseas elector.
If you are an overseas elector registered to vote by post or proxy, you will also need to renew these alongside your declaration. If you do not renew your entitlement to vote by post or proxy before 1 November 2026, it will expire. You will need to vote in person at your designated polling station, until you make a new application to vote by post or proxy.
If you need help with renewing your declaration, email elections@enfield.gov.uk.