Voting just got more difficult
The 2022 Elections Act requires all voters in future UK elections to show identification. If you do not have acceptable forms of photo identification, you will not be able to vote. The list of acceptable forms (shown below) is already causing controversy, with a lot more forms being available to older than to younger people. For instance, an over 60 bus pass is acceptable, a student rail card is not.
Many suspect that this is intentional, placing barriers in the way of younger people who tend not to vote Conservative. Don’t let them take your vote away. Make sure that you have the right kind of ID available when you need to vote. That is likely to be next May, when we have District Council elections here in the Lewes constituency.
Act now
Make sure you have the right ID
Among the acceptable forms of ID are a Council issued card, which should become available from January, but we do not yet have any detailed information available. (The Council issued card is free, whereas some other forms of ID, such as a PASS card, have to be paid for.)
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List of acceptable forms of ID released this month by the government (credit: Electoral Reform Society)
The following documents will be accepted as long as poll workers think the photo is a good enough likeness.
A 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 driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state
A biometric Immigration document
An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
A Blue Badge
A national identity card issued by an EEA state
An Older Person’s Bus Pass
A disabled person’s Bus Pass
An Oyster 60+ card
A Freedom Pass
A Scottish National Entitlement card issued in Scotland
A 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel card issued in Wales
A Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
A Senior Smart Pass issued in Northern Ireland
A Registered Blind Smart Pass or Blind Person’s Smart Pass issued in Northern Ireland
A War Disablement SmartPass or War Disabled SmartPass issued In Northern Ireland
A 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
A Half Fare Smart Pass issued in Northern Ireland
An Electoral Identity Card issued In Northern Ireland
A Voter Authority Certificate or a temporary Voter Authority Certificate
Expired documents, such as passports, will also be accepted.
For more information follow these links:
Voter ID list gives few options for younger voters