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What photo ID do you need to vote in UK elections? What photo ID do you need to vote in local elections?
(6 months later)
Photo-ID requirements could cause "serious disruption" at the next general election, two reports suggest. People will need to show photo ID at polling stations before they vote in the upcoming local elections in May.
Thousands of people were unable to vote in May's local elections in England because they did not have the correct ID. Thousands of people were unable to vote at the last local elections because they did not have the correct ID.
The government says the ID rules prevent voter fraud. What elections are taking place in May 2024?
Elections will take place in 107 local authorities across England on 2 May.
Voting will also be held for the Mayor of London, London Assembly members, nine combined authority mayors and one local authority mayor.
In England and Wales, people will vote for police and crime commissioners in 38 police force areas.
What are the voter ID rules?What are the voter ID rules?
Since May, voters in England have had to show photo ID to get their ballot paper in polling stations for local elections, local referendums and parliamentary by-elections. Since May 2023, voters have had to show an accepted form of photo ID at polling stations before they receive a ballot paper.
Voters in police-and-crime-commissioner elections in England and Wales also require photo ID. The rules apply to:
The rules apply to voters across Great Britain for UK general elections after October 2023. all local elections in England, including those for mayors and the London Assembly
But there is no need to show ID if voting: all local referendums and parliamentary by-elections in England
police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales
UK general elections
There is no need to show ID if voting:
by postby post
for the Scottish or Welsh Parliamentfor the Scottish or Welsh Parliament
in local elections in Scotland or Walesin local elections in Scotland or Wales
Voters in Northern Ireland have had to show photo ID since 2003.Voters in Northern Ireland have had to show photo ID since 2003.
What documents can you use as photo ID?What documents can you use as photo ID?
These include:These 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You can use out-of-date ID as long as you look the same.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 photo ID as long as you look the same.
A full list of accepted documents can be found here.A full list of accepted documents can be found here.
What if I don't have an acceptable form of ID?What if I don't have an acceptable form of ID?
You can 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 can 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 registered to vote who does not have the right photo ID - or who no longer looks like the picture on their ID - can apply for a new free document known as a Voter Authority Certificate. Anyone registered to vote who does not have the right photo ID - or who no longer looks like the picture on their ID - can get a free document known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
The deadline to apply for one is Wednesday 24 April.
Voters in Northern Ireland can use the Electoral Identity Card.Voters in Northern Ireland can use the Electoral Identity Card.
Why do voters need photo ID?Why do voters need photo ID?
The government says it will stop votes being stolen, although this is quite unusual in the UK.The government says it will 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 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.
Can I take a selfie at a polling station?Can I take a selfie at a polling station?
What if voters cannot show the correct ID at the polling station?What if voters cannot show the correct ID at the polling station?
Polling station staff have a legal duty to record the number of people that cannot be issued with a ballot paper because they do not have valid ID.Polling station staff have a legal duty to record the number of people that cannot be issued with a ballot paper because they do not have valid ID.
This includes the number of people who are turned away and later return to the polling station with the correct documentation.This includes the number of people who are turned away and later return to the polling station with the correct documentation.
About 14,000 people were unable to vote at May's local elections in England as a result of the new rules. About 14,000 people were unable to vote in the May 2023 local elections in England as a result of the new rules.
But the true figure could be higher because some might have left after reading the ID requirements, without being formally recorded, the Electoral Commission said.But the true figure could be higher because some might have left after reading the ID requirements, without being formally recorded, the Electoral Commission said.
The watchdog's research indicated 90% of voters at May's elections had been "satisfied with the process of voting" but unemployed voters and those belonging ethnic minorities were more likely to have been turned away. The watchdog's research indicated 90% of voters at the May 2023elections had been "satisfied with the process of voting" but unemployed voters and those belonging ethnic minorities were more likely to have been turned away.
What are the concerns about the general election? Are there concerns about photo ID at the general election?
The government says it is still "learning lessons" from the May local elections. Two reports have highlighted the potential impact of photo ID on the next UK general election, expected later in 2024.
But two reports highlight the potential impact on the next UK general election, expected in 2024.
Electoral administrators surveyed by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) warned they would have too few staff to check valid ID and produce Voter Authority Certificates.Electoral administrators surveyed by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) warned they would have too few staff to check valid ID and produce Voter Authority Certificates.
The Local Government Association backed the LGIU's concerns, warning council election teams had had to rely on help from areas without elections in May, which would not be possible at a general election. The Local Government Association backed the LGIU's concerns, warning council election teams relied on help from areas without elections in May 2023, which would not be possible at a general election when votes are held in every constituency.
In a separate report, the Electoral Commission called on the government to expand the list of accepted ID.In a separate report, the Electoral Commission called on the government to expand the list of accepted ID.
It also suggested allowing voters to cast their ballot without ID if another registered voter could vouch for their identity.It also suggested allowing voters to cast their ballot without ID if another registered voter could vouch for their identity.
When is the next general election?When is the next general election?
Related TopicsRelated Topics
UK governmentUK government
Electoral CommissionElectoral Commission
England local elections 2023
Local governmentLocal government