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What photo ID do you need to vote in UK elections? What photo ID do you need to vote in UK elections?
(about 1 month later)
People in England will need to show photo ID before being allowed to vote at the local elections on 4 May.People in England will need to show photo ID before being allowed to vote at the local elections on 4 May.
The government says the new rules will help prevent voter fraud but critics claim the changes will make it harder for some to vote.The government says the new rules will help prevent voter fraud but critics claim the changes will make it harder for some to vote.
What are the new voter ID rules?What are the new voter ID rules?
Voters will need to show photo ID to get their ballot paper in polling stations at local elections, police and crime commissioner elections, and parliamentary by-elections. Voters will need to show photo ID to get their ballot paper in polling stations at local elections, police and crime commissioner elections, and parliamentary by-elections. You do not need to bring your poll card.
From October the requirements will also apply to any future general elections. Some polling stations may have "greeters" outside to remind voters about the need for photo ID. However, you only need to show your ID to staff issuing ballot papers inside.
From October the ID requirements will also apply to any future general elections.
You don't need to show ID if voting by post.You don't need to show ID if voting by post.
What documents can you use as photo ID?What documents can you use as photo ID?
They include:They include:
passportspassports
driving licencesdriving licences
Older or Disabled Person's bus passesOlder or Disabled Person's bus passes
Oyster 60+ cardsOyster 60+ cards
You can use out-of-date ID as long as you look the same.You can use out-of-date ID as long as you look the same.
A full list of accepted documents can be found here.
Why do I need ID to vote?Why do I need ID to vote?
The government said the measure would stop votes being stolen, although this is quite unusual in the UK.The government said the measure would stop votes being stolen, although this is quite unusual in the UK.
Since 2018, there have been 1,386 cases of alleged electoral fraud reported to the police, according to the Electoral Commission. These led to nine convictions and six police cautions.Since 2018, there have been 1,386 cases of alleged electoral fraud reported to the police, according to the Electoral Commission. These led to nine convictions and six police cautions.
The number of cases of someone pretending to be another person - known as personation - is even lower. In 2022, there were just 13 cases recorded by police, including seven at polling stations. None led to prosecutions.
The commission said in the past five years there had been "no evidence of large-scale electoral fraud", although some Conservative MPs claim the statistics underplay the issue.The commission said in the past five years there had been "no evidence of large-scale electoral fraud", although some Conservative MPs claim the statistics underplay the issue.
What if I don't have an acceptable form of ID?What if I don't have an acceptable form of ID?
You could exchange a paper driving licence for a photocard or apply for a photocard travel pass if you're aged 60 or over, disabled, or registered blind or partially-sighted.You could exchange a paper driving licence for a photocard or apply for a photocard travel pass if you're aged 60 or over, disabled, or registered blind or partially-sighted.
Anyone who didn't have the right photo ID, or who no longer looks like the picture on their ID was encouraged to apply for a new free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate.Anyone who didn't have the right photo ID, or who no longer looks like the picture on their ID was encouraged to apply for a new free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
The deadline to apply has now passed.The deadline to apply has now passed.
In Northern Ireland, voters can use the Electoral Identity Card. The deadline to apply for one for the 18 May elections is 5 May.In Northern Ireland, voters can use the Electoral Identity Card. The deadline to apply for one for the 18 May elections is 5 May.
Why has voter ID been criticised? Will the number of voters without ID be recorded?
The plan was put forward by the Conservative-led government to "protect the integrity of the ballot box". Yes. Polling station staff have a legal duty to record the number of people that cannot be issued with a ballot paper because they could not show valid ID.
Although most people have some form of accepted photo ID, an estimated two million people don't, and opposition MPs believe the changes will make it more difficult for them to vote. This includes the number of people who are turned away and later return to the polling station with the correct ID.
The Electoral Commission warned the new rules risk creating a barrier to those who vote anonymously and people who are disabled, older, experiencing homelessness, trans or non-binary, or from Gypsy, Roma or Traveller backgrounds. Electoral Commission: Greeters at polling stations
The Electoral Reform Society has suggested younger voters might be disproportionately affected - highlighting that older people can use bus passes and 60+ Oyster cards as ID but young people can't use their railcards or student Oyster cards.
Government figures show just over 85,000 people applied for a Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline - about 4% of the estimated two million people without the correct ID.
The Local Government Association (LGA) - which represents local authorities - also says the practical difficulties faced by councils enforcing ID checks on polling day "should not be underestimated".
Voter ID could overwhelm staff, councils warn
Has voter ID been tried before?
In England, it was trialled at the 2018 and 2019 local elections.
In both years, participating councils required voters to bring a form of identification.
The Electoral Commission said many of the people who were initially refused a ballot for not having ID did return with it later, and the number of those that didn't was fairly small.
Photo ID has been mandatory in Northern Ireland since 2003.
Most European countries require all residents to have national ID in any case which is used in various situations, including voting.
In the US, 35 states require some form of ID to vote but only about half of those specify it must be photo ID.
Is there an election in my area?Is there an election in my area?
When are the elections and who's being elected?When are the elections and who's being elected?
Dogs, selfies... What can you do in a polling station?Dogs, selfies... What can you do in a polling station?
Related TopicsRelated Topics
NI local elections 2023NI local elections 2023
Electoral CommissionElectoral Commission
England local elections 2023England local elections 2023
Local governmentLocal government