The local elections are just around the corner, with all 10 councils in Greater Manchester holding a poll on May 2. That’s alongside the election for the Greater Manchester mayor, which will be held on the same day. As parties have now confirmed who will be standing in each ward, candidates will be hitting the campaign trail hard to convince voters they’re the right choice. However, to vote, residents need to hit certain requirements. Firstly, they need to be registered to vote in one of Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs — Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan — to have their say in their respective council election and the mayoral race. Registration closes at 11:59pm on April 16, and you can register online here, or access a form to register by post here. However, that isn’t the only hurdle you need to clear. The newest extra requirement is to bring valid photographic identification with you to your polling station to receive a ballot paper and cast your vote. The rule was brought in for local elections last year, and the 2024 mayoral race will be the first in Greater Manchester where the law is in force. There are a range of accepted IDs, including passports and driving licences. You cannot show a photocopy of the ID, it must be the original card or document. If you don’t have an in-date ID, you can show one of the below forms of ID which will be accepted if the photo still looks like you and it has the same name you used to register to vote. There is also an alternative method to meet the ID requirements, called a Voter Authority Certificate. Here are all of the accepted forms of photo ID for the 2024 local and mayoral elections. International travel Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card) Driving and Parking Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence) A Blue Badge Local travel Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London Freedom Pass Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass) 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland Proof of age Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card) Other government issued documents Biometric immigration document Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card) National identity card issued by an EEA state Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland Voter Authority Certificate Anonymous Elector’s Document
