Voters in the upcoming May 7 local elections are being warned about photo ID rules that could block them from casting their ballots.
While voter ID laws have been in place for more than two years now, some people are still getting caught by the rules on how to prove who they are to vote. Those heading to the polls this May in the various council and mayoral elections are being warned they could be caught out by a little-known quirk in how photo ID rules work.
Voting now requires photo ID, which could include a passport, driving licence or a Blue Badge. Acceptable forms of identification include:
If you arrive at a polling station without an accepted form of photo ID, you will be asked to return with an ID that is acceptable, according to the Electoral Commission.
Polling stations will display the list of accepted photo IDs, and polling station staff will be trained on what types of ID are accepted.
If you think your ID has been mistakenly rejected, you should notify the presiding officer at the polling station. If this does not resolve the issue, you can raise your concerns with the returning officer.
Although you cannot appeal against the presiding officer’s decision to refuse to issue a ballot paper if they have rejected a particular form of ID, you can return to the polling station with a different form of ID later in the day and reapply for a ballot paper.
Polling station staff will complete a form to record that a ballot paper could not be issued, and the reason why.
The total number of voters who later return with an accepted ID and are issued a ballot paper will also be recorded.