Residents in Tendring are being urged to ensure they have the correct photo identification ready before heading to the polls for the Essex County Council elections on Thursday, 7 May 2026. Voters must show an accepted form of identification to receive a ballot paper, or they risk being turned away from the polling stations, which will be open from 7am to 10pm.
To help residents prepare, Tendring District Council has launched a campaign called Find it FrIDay. Ian Davidson, the Deputy Returning Officer for Tendring, is encouraging everyone to use this Friday, 24 April, as a time to check they have appropriate identification.
Accepted forms of photo ID include a UK passport or driving licence, a Blue Badge, an older or disabled person’s bus pass, a PASS-accredited proof-of-age card, or a Defence Identity Card. According to the Electoral Commission, these requirements apply to all in-person voting for local elections in England.
Those who do not possess any of the accepted forms of identification can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline to submit an application for this certificate is 5pm on Tuesday, 28 April 2026. The upcoming elections will cover eight County divisions across the Tendring district.
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