England will have local elections 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 the UK Parliamentary by-election and recall petitions, and to vote for the Police and Crime Commissioner in England and Wales.
This mandate will then apply to the UK general election in October 2023.
However, there will be no need to show photo ID to vote in local or devolved parliamentary elections in Scotland or Wales.
And this change will not affect 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 their 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 can recognize the person at the ballot box.
However, it must be the original version, not a photocopy, and the name on the ID must match the name on the voters list.
Voter Forms Acceptable Identifier:
- Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
- A full or provisional driver's license issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state
Or any of the following passes:
- Government funded senior bus pass
- Government funded disabled bus pass
- Oyster 60+ publicly funded card
- Freedom pass
- Scottish National Card
- 60 and over Welsh Concession Pass
- Welsh Concession Ticket for the Disabled Pass
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered SmartPass for the Blind or SmartPass for the Blind issued in Northern Ireland
- War SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- SmartPass half price issued in Northern Ireland
Or any of the following government documents:
- Biometric Immigration Document
- Department of Defense Form 90 (Protector ID)
- EEA National ID Card
- Northern Ireland Voter ID
- Northern Ireland Voter ID
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- Voter Body Testimony
- Anonymous Voter Document
3103 Conservative Councils Most Dangerous Do new rules apply to mail-in voting?
No. You do not need to have any photo ID to vote by mail.
However, there are checks in place to ensure that the process is as secure as possible.
You will be asked to enter your date of birth and sign both when you submit your application for mail-in voting and when you return your voting package, with results cross-checked to verify your identity.
Ultimate The deadline for submitting an application for voting by mail is 17:00 April 18.
What is the deadline to apply for a free voter ID?
The online application deadline for those who want to apply for a free voter ID for the May 5 local elections has expired.
For future elections you can apply for a free voter ID online or by mail.
You will need a recent digital photo of yourself and your National Insurance Number (NI) to complete the online application.
You can still apply if you do not have an NI number, but you will need to provide alternative documents as proof of identity, such as a birth certificate, bank statement, or utility bill.
Apply Before posting, you will need to complete and submit the form to your local voter registration office.
You will need the address where you are registered to vote, a recent photograph of yourself, 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, government or British Council.
3103 The Conservatives continue to lead the way in councillors. What if I don't have a valid ID?
Anyone who does not have an ID that meets the new requirements can apply for a free Voter Credentials Certificate (VAC).
This does not replace registration to vote. which must be done before any application.
The deadline for registering to vote in the May elections was 11:59 pm on April 17.
3103 Labour's recent success is mostly in the South. Why is voter ID introduced?
The new legislation 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 the name and address on the ballot box.
However, critics note that actual allegations of electoral fraud in the UK are very rare.
According to the Electoral Reform Society, out of more than 58 million votes cast at the polls 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 black and ethnic minority groups.
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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