VOTERS without ID have just four weeks to apply for a free ‘Voter Authority Certificate’, before elections in May.

The commission is calling on anyone that needs free ID to apply now, before the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday, April 24.

The Voter Authority Certificate is a free form of ID available to anyone who doesn’t already have an accepted form of voter ID, such as a passport, driving licence or an older person’s or disabled person’s bus pass.

New research from the Electoral Commission shows that 27 per cent of people still don’t know they can apply for the free ID.

More than 16,000 people have already applied for a Voter Authority Certificate ahead of the local elections in England on May 2, where in many places photo ID will be required for the first time.

The research also shows that 78 per cent of people now know they need to bring photo ID to vote in a polling station, compared to 76 per cent at the same time before last year’s local elections.

Applications can be submitted online at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate, or by completing a paper form and sending this to the local council’s electoral services team.

Voters will need to provide a photograph, their full name, date of birth, the address at which they are registered to vote and their National Insurance number.

Applicants must be registered to vote before applying. The registration deadline is midnight on 16 April, and applications to register can be made online at gov.uk/register-to-vote

Jackie Killeen, director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission, said: “Voters will be required to show photo ID at polling stations at the May elections, but we know not everyone has ID they can take with them. Our research shows that disabled voters, people who are unemployed and young people may find it harder to meet this new requirement.

"Anyone who doesn’t currently have the ID they need, can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, but they must apply before the deadline so that they can cast their vote in May. That date is fast approaching so don’t delay.”