Residents in Cheshire East will need to show photographic ID to vote at this year’s local elections in May.
The requirement to show photo ID at a polling station is a new requirement, introduced under the Elections Act, which was passed last year and comes into effect for the first time this May.
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.
The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID.
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.
When I was a lad of about 10 (about 70 years ago) I used to collect the voters’ numbers as they emerged from the Polling Station. Those lists were passed to the local (Conservative) Party office where lists of supporters were examined. To ensure that everyone had the chance to vote, drivers would then go round to the addresses to collect voters and convey them to the Polling Station in the belief that other Parties’ supporters would not travel on their bikes if the weather was bad!
Why would you not want to/be comfortable identifying yourself? What on earth have you got to hide?
I agree with Martin Bond.
Evidence of electoral fraud in the UK is very low. Convictions are almost non-existent.
The following is taken from the Electoral Commission’s electoral fraud report from 2019 (which includes the last Parliamentary general election):
“595 cases of alleged electoral fraud were investigated by the police. Of these, four led to a conviction and two individuals were given a police caution.’
At best this move is a sledgehammer to crack a nut, with potentially far-reaching, unintended consequences.
However, it could be that these potential consequences are indeed intentional.
This is a completely unnecessary restriction on our democratic rights. There is no evidence of electoral fraud of any significance. For instance, in the 2019 election there were about a dozen allegations of fraud of which four were proven. It is noticeable that the forms of identity acceptable are weighted towards those likely to be carried by Conservative voters. An old persons bus pass is acceptable, but not a student card.
About time – current system is wide open to fraud. Anyone can turn up at a polling station and impersonate a legitimate voter just by knowing their name and address, you don’t even need your polling card.
That’s me not voting then. Not prepared to carry or produce ID.