Local elections in England will be held in May, and they will be like no other.
For the first time, people wishing to vote will be required to show a photo ID.
The new requirements are based on recommendations from a 2016 report by Sir Eric Pickles, former Commons Secretary, which warned there was a risk of «significant abuse» of the electoral system if people could vote under false pretenses. with little risk of detection.
Here The Telegraph details everything you need to know about the new rules.
Do you have elections on May 5th? What are the new ID requirements?
Starting this year, everyone who wants to vote in the UK will be required to present a photo ID at the polls.
The new rule will be applied in phases starting with local elections in England 4 May 2023
Photo ID will also be required from this date to participate in UK parliamentary by-elections and recall petitions, as well as police and criminal commissioner voting in England and Wales.
The mandate will then apply to the UK . general elections from October 2023.
However, photo identification will not be required to vote in local or devolved parliamentary elections in Scotland or Wales.
And this change will make no difference to voters in Northern Ireland, who have been required to show photo ID since 2003.
This change marks a significant departure from the current system in much of the UK, where voters only need to verbally Verify your name and address to vote.
What types of ID are accepted?
Voters will only need to show one form of photo ID at the polls, and it doesn't have to be dated — as long as it's recognizable as the person at the ballot box.
However, this must be the original version, not a photocopy, and the name on the ID must match the name on the voter list.
Voter ID forms acceptable:
- Passport issued by the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, British Overseas Territory, EEA or Commonwealth country.
- Full or provisional UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or EEA country
- Blue Badge
- Any ID with Hologram Pass (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
Or any of the following passes:
- Publicly funded senior bus pass
- Public funded bus pass for the disabled
< li>Registered SmartPass for the Blind or SmartPass for the Blind issued in Northern Ireland
Or any of the following government documents:
- Biometric Immigration Document
- DoD Form 90 (Defence Identification Card)
- National Identification Card issued by an EEA State
- Voter ID card issued in Northern Ireland
- li>
- Voter ID card
- Anonymous Voter Document
3103 Conservative councils most at risk Do the new rules apply to mail-in voting?
No. You do not need to have any kind of photo ID to vote by mail.
However, there are checks in place to ensure the process is as secure as possible.
You will be asked to enter your date of birth and sign your name both when you submit your mail-in voting application and when you return your voting package, with results cross-checked to verify your identity.
The deadline to apply for mail-in voting is 17:00 April 18.
What if I don't have a valid ID?
Anyone who doesn't have an ID that meets the new requirements can apply for Free Voter Credentials Certificate (VAC).
This does not replace registration to vote, which must be done prior to filing any application.
The deadline for filing applications to vote in the May elections is 11:59 pm on April 17.
3103 Conservatives still outperform councilors How to apply for free voter ID?
You can apply for free voter ID online or by mail.
To complete the online application, you will need your latest a digital photograph and your National Insurance Number (NI).
You can still apply if you do not have an NI number, but you will be required to provide alternative documents as proof of identity, such as a birth certificate, bank statement, or utility bill.
Submission Deadline online application for those wishing to vote in the upcoming elections in May — 17:00 April 25, 2023.
To apply by mail, you will need to complete and mail the form to your local voter registration office.
You will need the address where you are registered to vote, a recent photo of you and your NI. number.
Again, other supporting documents are accepted, but their use may lengthen the application process.
Voter Registration must receive your form by 5:00 pm, six business days before the election you wish to vote.< /p>
There is another form to fill out if you wish to apply by mail and live abroad, are in the military, civil servants or British Council employees.
3103 Labour's recent success is mainly in the South. Why is the voter ID entered?
The new legal requirement aims to curb potential voter fraud by preventing people from impersonating others at the polls.
The plans are based on the recommendations of a 2016 report by Sir Eric Pickles, former Commons Secretary, which warned that there is a risk of «significant abuse» of the electoral system if people can vote under false pretenses with little risk of detection.
Why is voter ID controversial?
The government said the change was necessary to limit the «unforgivable possibility» of «stealing someone's vote» by simply putting their name and address on the ballot box.
However, critics point out that actual allegations of electoral fraud in UK are very rare.
According to the Electoral Reform Society, out of more than 58 million votes cast at the polling stations in 2019, there were 33 impersonation claims.
Opponents of the new mandate also warned that some people will find it harder to speak their mind, including people with disabilities, transgender and non-binary voters, and blacks and ethnic minorities.
Across the UK, it is estimated that around two million adults do not have any form ID cards that meet the new requirements.
But Local Government Minister Lee Rowley denied that the scheme amounted to «any form of repression.» .
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