Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire/PA photography. It was first introduced in the May local elections.
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 voter ID requirements?
Starting this year, anyone wishing to vote in the UK will be required to present a photo ID at the polls.
The new rule will be applied in stages starting with local elections in England on May 4, 2023.
Photo ID will also be required from this date to take part 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 election in October 2023.
However, photo ID will not be required to vote at local or autonomous elections in Scotland or Wales.
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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 in order to vote.
What types of ID are accepted?
Voters will only need to show one form of ID with a photograph at the polling stations, and it does not have to be dated — provided that it can be recognized as a 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 driving license issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state< /li>
- Blue badge
- Any ID card with a hologram Pass (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
Or any of the following travel tickets:
- public funded bus pass for the elderly
- government funded bus pass for the disabled
- Oyster 60+ government funded card
- Freedom pass
- Scottish National Card
- 60 years 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
- SmartPass for the occasion war, 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)
- National ID issued by an EEA State
- Voter ID issued in Northern Ireland
- Voting Authority Certificate
- Anonymous voter paper
3103. Conservative councils are most at risk. Do the new rules apply to voting by mail?
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 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.
Ultimate The deadline to apply to vote by mail is April 18.
How can I get a voting ID with a photo?
The online application deadline for those who wish to apply for a free voter ID for the May 4 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 photograph 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 so 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.
< p> But critics point out that actual claims 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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