Photo ID needed to vote at elections in May

by Lisa Reeves

Monday 9^th January 2023

Mon 9^th Jan 2023

For the first time, residents in Cheshire East will need to show photographic ID to vote at this year's local elections.

Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote in May by checking they have an accepted form of ID.

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers' licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person's bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online via the gov.uk website or by completing a paper form.

Ailsa Irvine, director of electoral administration and guidance at the Electoral Commission, said: "Anyone voting at a polling station in England this May will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. It's important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it.

"You can find information about the new requirement and what to expect at the polling station on the Electoral Commission's website."

Dr Lorraine O'Donnell, Returning Officer at Cheshire East Council and its chief executive, said: "With elections taking place in Cheshire East on 4 May 2023, it is important that those who want to vote make sure they have an accepted form of ID. It may seem early but checking now means you will be ready to vote in May.

"Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to Cheshire East Council's electoral services team. If you need any help with applying for the free ID or want to request an application form, contact the electoral services team on 0300 123 5016 or email [email protected]"

Anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must also be registered to vote. It only takes five minutes to register online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. Voters wishing to apply to their council for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote.

Eligible voters can, alternatively, vote by post. It's easy to apply and you can find out how by visiting the Electoral Commission website.

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 and comes into effect for the first time this May.

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Jonathan Follows

Tuesday 10^th January 2023 at 1:42 pm

As reported in The Guardian on 21 December, the "free ID online via the gov.uk website" isn't ready yet, although it should be in about a week's time. The Electoral Commission believes this implementation is being done too quickly, but the government is pressing ahead nonetheless.

Vince Chadwick

Tuesday 10^th January 2023 at 3:23 pm

Given that imposters in the polling station are vanishingly rare, but postal and proxy voting fraud is a real problem that this new requirement will not address, this looks like a solution looking for a problem.

Perhaps we should ask, therefore, what the REAL reason is for its introduction and the haste to get it on the statute book?

Ade Whitaker

Tuesday 10^th January 2023 at 5:22 pm

Good question @Vince. Apparently young (and less likely to vote Conservative) voters cannot use their Oyster card as voter Id in London wheras older (and more likely to vote Conservative) voters can. Makes no sense whatsoever and it's all you need to know about this cynical election rigging policy. Didn't the government also take control of the Electoral Commission recently - a body which has always been, and always should be independent. Another blow to our democratic freedom. All very worrying.

Richard Birchall

Wednesday 11^th January 2023 at 2:42 pm

This is an unfortunate ploy by the Government to try and maximise the Conservative vote and is not based on any real evidence of voter fraud at polling stations.

David Nelson

Wednesday 11^th January 2023 at 3:13 pm

I'm with Vince.

Manuel Golding

Wednesday 11^th January 2023 at 3:35 pm

Despite all the negative comments above, voter fraud has been rife in some constituencies in the U.K., postal voting being one, the Electoral Commission is right in attempting to stop this anti -democratic fraud. f you value your vote ensure you have your proof when attempting to vote, this is a benefit for all parties.

Richard Barraclough

Wednesday 11^th January 2023 at 4:08 pm

No Manuel. Voter fraud due to impersonation is not rife. Between 2010 and 2016 for 2 elections and the EU referendum, there were 7 convictions. Having to produce photo ID at a polling station is not going to stop postal voting fraud. It is not the Electoral Commission that has introduced this requirement. It's been introduced by an act of parliament. It's a cynical ploy by the government to disenfranchise people less likely to vote Conservative.

Pete Taylor

Sunday 15^th January 2023 at 3:47 pm

Presumably some arrangements are in place to deal with people who turn up at polling stations wearing hijabs or Covid masks under the new photo ID rules?

Kathleen Morris

Tuesday 17^th January 2023 at 8:56 am

If Manuel Golding is correct and there is known to be fraud in certain constituencies, why does he not name them? Why does the government not do something to address the problem where it exists instead of creating more problems and needless bureaucracy which will discourage people from voting at all? The so-called solution may actually increase fraud by sending more people to postal votes, where it fraud is known to be a problem.

Gary Chaplin

Wednesday 18^th January 2023 at 4:16 pm

You have to show photo ID to collect packages, enter conferences, join a gym and 1,000 other comparatively menial locations. To ask for it to vote for the leadership of our country/county is not exactly a travesty. Free photo ID is already available without the govt scheme.

John Featherstone

Thursday 19^th January 2023 at 10:27 am

U vill all stand in line to b counted and must all have zie smart meter??? ve vont to know vot ze is doing all of ze time ???????? is this what our fathers and grand fathers fought for in 1939--1945 a total digrace

Thursday 19^th January 2023 at 3:38 pm

Its photo ID John, It's not a location chip. Or mind-reading technology.

Photo ID. A piece of plastic with your photo in. Like every driver has, or every person that goes outside the UK on holiday, most gym members, most bus pass owners, library card holders etc etc etc

I'm struggling to see what possible (grown-up) objection there can be for requiring photo-ID to vote?

Monday 23^rd January 2023 at 3:20 pm

more freedom lost