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What photo ID do you need to vote in local elections? What photo ID do you need to vote in local elections?
(7 days later)
People will need to show photo ID at polling stations before they vote in the May local elections.People will need to show photo ID at polling stations before they vote in the May local elections.
Thousands of people were unable to vote in the 2023 local elections because they did not have the correct ID.Thousands of people were unable to vote in the 2023 local elections because they did not have the correct ID.
What elections are taking place in May 2024?What elections are taking place in May 2024?
Elections are taking place in 107 local authorities across England.Elections are taking place in 107 local authorities across England.
Voters will also choose the Mayor of London, London Assembly members and 10 other mayors.Voters will also choose the Mayor of London, London Assembly members and 10 other mayors.
In addition, voters across England and Wales will elect 37 police and crime commissioners (PCCs)In addition, voters across England and Wales will elect 37 police and crime commissioners (PCCs)
No elections are being held in Scotland or Northern Ireland.No elections are being held in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
When are the May local elections, and who can vote?When are the May local elections, and who can vote?
What are the voter ID rules?What are the voter ID rules?
Since May 2023, voters have had to show an accepted form of photo ID at polling stations to vote in person at most elections.Since May 2023, voters have had to show an accepted form of photo ID at polling stations to vote in person at most elections.
The rules apply to:The rules apply to:
all local elections in England, including those for mayors and the London Assemblyall local elections in England, including those for mayors and the London Assembly
all local referendums and parliamentary by-elections in Englandall local referendums and parliamentary by-elections in England
police and crime commissioner elections in England and Walespolice and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales
UK general electionsUK general elections
There is no need to show ID if voting: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?
There are 22 acceptable forms of ID, including:There are 22 acceptable forms of ID, including:
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 photo ID as long as you look the same.You can use out-of-date photo ID as long as you look the same.
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 without the correct ID - or who no longer looks like their photo - can apply for a free document known as a Voter Authority Certificate.Anyone registered to vote without the correct ID - or who no longer looks like their photo - can apply for a free document known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
The deadline to apply before the May elections is Wednesday 24 April.The deadline to apply before the May elections 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 in the May 2023 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 the May 2023 elections had been "satisfied with the process of voting", but that 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 2023 elections had been "satisfied with the process of voting".
However, it said that unemployed voters and those belonging to ethnic minorities were more likely to have been turned away.
Are there concerns about photo ID at the general election?Are there concerns about photo ID at the general election?
Two reports have highlighted the potential impact of photo ID on the next UK general election, which must be held before 28 January 2025.Two reports have highlighted the potential impact of photo ID on the next UK general election, which must be held before 28 January 2025.
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 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. The Local Government Association warned that council election teams relied on help from areas without elections in May 2023. It said this 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
Local governmentLocal government