THE upcoming local elections on May 4th will see photo ID made a requirement for the first time.

In Somerset, elections are happening for North Somerset Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council, as well as many more town and parish councils.

Voters will need to bring photo ID to the polling station to be allowed to vote — but not every type of ID will be accepted. Anyone without an accepted form of photo ID can get a “voter authority certificate” to use on polling day instead.

You can apply for the certificate up until 5pm on Tuesday April 25 at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

You need to bring the actual ID, not an image or photocopy. It does not matter if the ID you use has expired — but there are two situations in which you could be turned away even with a valid ID.

You may be turned away if the photo on your ID no longer sufficiently looks like you, even if it is otherwise valid. If you are concerned that you do not have an accepted form of ID with a photo that still looks like you, you should sign up for a voter authority certificate.

You will also not be able to vote if the name on your ID does not match the name you are registered to vote with.

Types of ID which will be accepted include: a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional); a driving licence issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands; a UK or passport; a PASS card; a Blue Badge; a Voter Authority Certificate; an older person’s bus pass; a disabled person’s bus pass; an Oyster 60+ card; a Freedom Pass

For the full list, go to www.gov.uk