Most voters know they need ID to vote. Do you?

10 Mar 2023 02:04 PM

New figures, released by the Electoral Commission today, show a significant jump in voters’ awareness of the new voter ID requirement. Research carried out in February shows that 63% of people now know they need to bring ID to vote in a polling station, compared with 22% when the question was first asked in December 2022.

On 9 January, the Commission launched a public awareness campaign to raise awareness of the new requirement ahead of the local elections on 4 May this year. The campaign will continue to run up until polling day.

Commenting on the figures, Craig Westwood, Director of Communications, Policy and Research at the Electoral Commission, said:

“The elections on 4 May will see a significant change in how we vote, and it’s incredibly encouraging to see such a significant increase in people aware of the need to bring ID. This is a testament to the hard work done to raise awareness by the electoral community, as well as by our civil society and charity partners, and political parties.”

For the first time at any election in Great Britain, voters will need to show photographic ID to vote at the local elections in England on 4 May. Accepted forms of ID include a driving licence and a passport, as well as some concessionary travel passes such as an older person’s bus pass. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

Anyone without an accepted form of ID will be able to apply to their local council for a free form of ID, called a Voter Authority Certificate. Applications can be submitted online, at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate (Opens in new window), or by completing a paper form and sending this to the local council’s electoral services team. To be able to vote on 4 May, those who need free ID must apply by 5pm on 25 April.

Craig Westwood continued:

“The May elections might seem like a long way off still and many people have other, more pressing concerns. But we continue to encourage people to take action now so they don’t lose their voice.

“People should check now if they’ve got the right ID, so if they don’t they can apply for the free ID in time. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April, but the best time to apply – if you need it – is today.”

For more information contact the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or press@electoralcommission.org.uk

Notes to editors

  1.  The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station is a new requirement, introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act, which was passed last year. (Opens in new window)
  2. The legislation requires voters at polling stations to show an accepted form of ID before they receive their ballot paper. From May, voters will need to show photo ID before voting in local council elections in England, parliamentary by-elections, and police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales. From October 2023, photo ID will be needed at UK parliamentary general elections. It will not be a requirement at local elections in Scotland or Wales, or elections to Scottish Parliament or Senedd. The requirement already exists in Northern Ireland.
  3. Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; UK or EEA drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters can use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
  4. Applications for the Voter Authority Certificate opened on 16 January.
  5. To apply for the Voter Authority Certificate, voters will need to provide a photo, full name, date of birth, the address at which they are registered to vote and their National Insurance number.
  6. The UK Government’s Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities is responsible for the new voter ID policy and for the free voter ID application system. Enquiries relating to the application system or the policy itself should be directed to the Department. (Opens in new window)
  7. The Electoral Commission is responsible for ensuring voters are aware of the new voter ID requirement, and for supporting local authorities with the process. Questions related to the public awareness campaign should be directed to the Electoral Commission.
  8. Local authorities are responsible for implementing voter ID at the local level.
  9. Research was carried out by YouGov on behalf of the Electoral Commission. Data is for a representative sample of eligible voters in England. Figures shown exclude London respondents. The total sample size was 5,553. Fieldwork was carried out online between 16 February and 1 March 2023.