Voter ID

[nicholab]

Just heard this on Radio 2 we will need to take photos ID to the poling station please help anyone you know to be able to vote. https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id

[Rob_D]

It looks like anyone without photo ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate from the council. (or I suppose, apply to vote by post)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-65066200

 

It does feel like this hasn't been publicised nearly enough.

[DalekSec]

Before a Mod has to come and say it, please try to keep this as less political as possible!

 

I've found myself biting my lip already in here!

[hardtailstar]

I usually take my ID as there is someone else with the same name as me with a similar address.

 

But it's a good idea.

[bknaggs]

If you register for a postal vote you don't need ID (and can avoid queues depending on where you live).

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

It does feel like this hasn't been publicised nearly enough.

 

Agreed 100%.

[Garacesh]

It does feel like this hasn't been publicised nearly enough.

 

Yeah there's probably a reason for that, but I'd get told off so.. The reason for that is probably just because they forgot? Yeah. That's plausible?

 

(I genuinely didn't know this was a thing though, so thanks. I knew they'd proposed it a while ago, but I'd assumed it had gone nowhere after all of the outcry against it)

Edited April 6, 2023 by Garacesh

[6Foot2]

Link 1: Contact your local Electoral Registration Office - GOV.UK

 

Contact your local Electoral Registration Office

 

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales

 

Contact your local Electoral Registration Office if you have a question about registering to vote, including:

 

• opting in or out of the ‘open register’ - the version of the electoral register that’s available to anyone who wants to buy a copy
  
• checking if you’ve already registered to vote
  

 

Link 2: Register to vote - GOV.UK

 

Deadline for registering to vote in the May 2023 elections

 

Register by 11:59pm on 17 April to vote in the following elections on 4 May:

 

• local government, combined authority mayoral, mayoral and parish council elections in England
  
• local government and community council elections in Wales
  
• local government elections in Scotland

Register by 11:59pm on 28 April to vote in the local government elections in Northern Ireland on 18 May...

[elsiegee40]

We had a letter through the post a few weeks ago about polling day and on the back was this. Didn’t everyone else get this?

 

I was aware of the change long beforehand though as I had already checked that my Mum, who doesn’t have a passport or driving license, did actually have something she could use.

[Garacesh]

We had a letter through the post a few weeks ago about polling day and on the back was this. Didn’t everyone else get this?

 

I've not had anything through the door about voting at all, let alone any changes to it.

[6Foot2]

We had a letter through the post a few weeks ago about polling day and on the back was this. Didn’t everyone else get this?

[ATTACH]68559[/ATTACH]

 

I was aware of the change long beforehand though as I had already checked that my Mum, who doesn’t have a passport or driving license, did actually have something she could use.

 

We haven't had sight of that, or anything like it. However, I am aware of the new requirements, having seen the adverts:

 

Link: Bring ID to vote: new campaign launched | Electoral Commission

 

[Bedders]

We had a letter about it, and it's written on the polling card that also says where we have to go to vote (it changes depending on venue availability).

The list of what's accepted is really long - bus passes, passport or driving license issued in UK or EEA, PASS card, blue disability badge, Oyster 60+ card....

 

For all I don't agree with it, it's the most forgiving list of accepted documentation I've seen accepted by government.

[elsiegee40]

Comments about whether or not we approve of this change will be removed for political discussion reasons. The law is the law. ID is required. Edited April 6, 2023 by elsiegee40

[BOOT]

Well, having looked at the 'long' list. I don't have any of those.

[mikes]

Any reason why they only accept the over 60 Welsh Concessionary bus pass? I had the under 60 version for an epileptic episode and it had my photo on it and tbh it looked identical to my mothers over 60 one ???

BTW we didn't get that letter I only heard about this last night at a family dinner. No politicial opinions but I wouldn't be suprised if we all get a government electronic user account/ID thing before long, and we could use it to securely vote on local issues too (e.g. you could log in to your Local Authority section and see votes about new plans they might have). A more direct or e-democracy, isn't there already a country that does something similar?

Edited April 8, 2023 by mikes

[elsiegee40]

Well, having looked at the 'long' list. I don't have any of those.

@BOOT3988 So you need to apply for a free voter authority certificate before 5pm on April 25th. I’d suggest not leaving it to the last minute

 

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate