Veteran cards to be accepted as valid ID for voters heading to the polls on 1 May
Voting at the upcoming local and mayoral elections has just become a little easier for military veterans.
"This year, for the first time, the list of acceptable voter ID will include the HM Armed Forces veteran card," said Niki Nixon, director of communications at the Electoral Commission.
"This means you can show your veteran card at polling stations in order to vote."
Elections are due to be held for 23 councils and six mayors in England on Thursday 1 May.
Every voter will have to show photo ID at polling stations – whether it be a passport, driver's licence, or a veteran ID card.
"Everyone voting at a polling station on Thursday will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper, so we're encouraging all voters to check they have a form of ID they can use," said Ms Nixon.
The Government hopes that a dedicated ID for former military personnel will help the voting process run more smoothly for them.
"We're proud to have delivered on our commitment to make the veterans card an accepted form of voter ID in time for the local elections on 1 May," Defence Secretary John Healey said on X.
Veterans Minister Al Carns says the Government is hoping to encourage wider use of veteran ID cards, which are already officially accepted by British Airways.
Until the veteran ID card was created, there was no way for former personnel to easily prove they had served in the Armed Forces, as they had been required to hand back their ID card – known as an MOD 90 – when they were discharged from the military.
To keep the process current, the Government is also introducing a digital version of the veteran ID card for smartphone users.
"Veterans will be the first members of the public to have digital gov.uk wallets this summer, with veterans cards becoming the first government documents to be officially digitised," said Mr Carns.
The Government says the digital version should also allow veterans quicker access to the support available to them - for housing, employment and rail discounts.
Importantly, the new veteran ID card provides a memento of service and maintains a tangible link to the Armed Forces, while also allowing veterans to easily verify their service to the NHS, their local authority and charities.
After a slow start to the rollout, the Government says it is now accelerating the process.
The practical use of the cards will be put to the test at polling stations on 1 May for those veterans who already have them.
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