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Original poster

Voter ID rules should be much clearer?

59 replies

BobbyBiscuits · 23/05/2024 23:14

I've just found out that people can use an expired UK passport as ID to vote. As long as they still resemble the image in the photo.

I really think this info has been hidden by the government and wanted to urge everyone to check if they can now vote.
My friends and family members thought they would not be able to as they have no current valid photo ID.
Go through this checklist/ form to see if you have the right ID.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate&ved=2ahUKEwiJ0eun5aSGAxURVkEAHVIKBuMQFnoECCEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw37oKocFI2SMcma2O5dzdAz

Hope the link works?
Let's all vote!

https://www.google.com/url?opi=89978449&rct=j&sa=t&source=web&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fapply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate&usg=AOvVaw37oKocFI2SMcma2O5dzdAz&ved=2ahUKEwiJ0eun5aSGAxURVkEAHVIKBuMQFnoECCEQAQ

OP posts:
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LakeTiticaca · 24/05/2024 21:47

Many countries across the world require ID to vote in general elections. Is the UK.so infantilised that they can't understand how to do it?
Jesus christ just wake up and take notice!

WestEndWindy · 24/05/2024 21:44

@Sahara123 yes, of course. But it's still a barrier to voting - lots of people won't get round to it or won't know what to do but might have voted in an election. They wouldn't have announced the election for the first week of the English holidays.

twohotwaterbottles · 24/05/2024 21:29

I don't particularly agree with photo ID. It's supposed to reduce fraud when in fact the stats are tiny. I work in polling stations and after the first time it's really not a problem. Only a handful in a very busy polling station forgot their ID

WonderfulUsername · 24/05/2024 21:24

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 24/05/2024 20:41

Are you joking????

you can easily use one of the other methods. FacT!!!!

Show quote history

What? Well yes of course they can.

What are you going on about? Confused

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 24/05/2024 21:08

OP has flounced because their post clearly saying the government was trying to hide information and that information wasn't clear has been filled with people telling them the government didn't hide the information and its very clear.

But they definitely "only" wanted to inform people

size4feet · 24/05/2024 20:47

BobbyBiscuits · 24/05/2024 14:13

@CarpyDiem fully agree. The policy is bullshit. Basically trying to stop poor people from voting.
Why would someone buy a passport when they can't even afford a bus fare?
I think they kept it quiet about expired passports though. Thought I'd better let others know in case it applies.

I heard about the expired passports. No one is keeping it quiet.

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 24/05/2024 20:41

WonderfulUsername · 24/05/2024 14:21

Why would they buy a passport anyway when they can get free photo ID to vote with? Confused

There was a thread on here the other day that made poor people look thick, and unable to check these things for themselves.

Very insulting.

Show quote history

Are you joking????

you can easily use one of the other methods. FacT!!!!

Topofthemountain · 24/05/2024 20:39

mumda · 24/05/2024 18:51

Wasn't ID in place for the recent council elections?
Have I missed reports saying millions couldn't vote?

No just Boris Johnson 🤣

Getting the voting ID wasn't hugely difficult though you do need a smartphone and be able to take the photo. It was less arduous then trying to sort out the replacement green waste bin.

It would have been difficult to conclude if it impacted the elections in May, there is always lower turn out for daft posts (Police and Crime Commissioner/ Regional Mayor).

Pepsiisbetterthancoke · 24/05/2024 20:23

LakeTiticaca · 24/05/2024 19:17

Yes it was. There was a massive publicity campaign telling people. If people don't take notice they only have themselves to blame.
Honestly these days it seems some people need their arses wiping

Show quote history

As much as I agree that it has been advertised and the majority of people should know about ID, not all parts of the country had local elections in May so it may not be as fresh in some people’s minds as others

Original poster
BobbyBiscuits · 24/05/2024 20:15

@LakeTiticaca when did I say poor people are thick?
You're the one implying I'm think.
I'm getting tired of these sour nasty remarks tbh.
Bye folks.

OP posts:
LakeTiticaca · 24/05/2024 19:17

mumda · 24/05/2024 18:51

Wasn't ID in place for the recent council elections?
Have I missed reports saying millions couldn't vote?

Yes it was. There was a massive publicity campaign telling people. If people don't take notice they only have themselves to blame.
Honestly these days it seems some people need their arses wiping

mumda · 24/05/2024 18:51

Wasn't ID in place for the recent council elections?
Have I missed reports saying millions couldn't vote?

CormorantStrikesBack · 24/05/2024 18:47

mitogoshi · 24/05/2024 17:31

You can get free voter id from your council!

I’ve got mine but the dog savaged the bottom of it…..the necessary bits are undamaged so I’m hoping they’re ok with it being chewed on the bottom.

Graveltone · 24/05/2024 18:44

I didn’t get any information about ID and voting. Probably because I do postal voting

LittleBrenda · 24/05/2024 17:57

BobbyBiscuits · 24/05/2024 15:14

@LittleBrenda we had nothing. No info whatsoever. So no, didn't vote since the new rule.
I'm glad they are getting the message across to at least some people. I guess it varies by council what they send about it? I just had a voting card through a couple days ago, which prompted me to look further into it.
I'd like to add I'm not good with stuff like that at the best of times. My life admin skills are poor. Sad but true.

Maybe your area will be bombarded with this information now the election has been announced.

Shardonneigghhh · 24/05/2024 17:51

Bignanna · 24/05/2024 15:56

It's easy enough to get it!

Show quote history

That's as maybe, but he's autistic and struggles to leave the house, so 2 birds with one stone

mitogoshi · 24/05/2024 17:31

You can get free voter id from your council!

LakeTiticaca · 24/05/2024 17:22

BobbyBiscuits · 24/05/2024 14:13

@CarpyDiem fully agree. The policy is bullshit. Basically trying to stop poor people from voting.
Why would someone buy a passport when they can't even afford a bus fare?
I think they kept it quiet about expired passports though. Thought I'd better let others know in case it applies.

You can apply for a free photo ID to vote. This topic has been done to death already. It's been widely advertised that free photo ID can be obtained or do you think "poor people" are too thick to realise this?

Original poster
BobbyBiscuits · 24/05/2024 17:14

@CranfordScones There is no meaningful reason why they should decide to suddenly impose photo ID as a criteria to vote, when for decades it was not. I don't find it acceptable for the government to cynically put barriers like this in place that can effect the most vulnerable.

Your comment is actually really unpleasant. You trying to take the piss out of me and implying I'm lazy and lack personal responsibility. Unless I'm missing something and you were being 'helpful?!'

I am despairing at how unnecessarily judgemental some of these posts are. On a thread that was simply meant to raise awareness of something important.
If you knew already then it's not meant for you.

OP posts:
ButWhatAboutTheBees · 24/05/2024 17:13

I'm guessing because over 60s bus passes are from a different department to school bus passes and have more stringent checks on ID?

Bus passes have never been acceptable ID anywhere, especially not student ones

Original poster
BobbyBiscuits · 24/05/2024 17:04

@LlynTegid here's hoping that's the case! Yeah, the bus pass thing is confusing as well.
Why pensioners but not young adults?
Is it bc the Tories know that a lot of young folks tend to vote to the left?

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 24/05/2024 16:32

Yes it should be for the election on July 4th, which should be the last with such requirements. A bus pass for a pensioner is accepted, one for an 18 year old is not.

user1471505494 · 24/05/2024 16:30

BobbyBiscuits · 24/05/2024 14:13

@CarpyDiem fully agree. The policy is bullshit. Basically trying to stop poor people from voting.
Why would someone buy a passport when they can't even afford a bus fare?
I think they kept it quiet about expired passports though. Thought I'd better let others know in case it applies.

You can also get a free identity card from your council

TwattyMcFuckFace · 24/05/2024 16:21

pigsDOfly · 24/05/2024 14:47

@TwattyMcFuckFace Ah okay, thanks for that.

I was probably looking on the wrong site. It said it was £18 to buy. It did mention that it was for clubs and alcohol so probably not the same.

Even so. I'm sure a lot of people will be caught out because they don't have photo id even if it is free.

Even so. I'm sure a lot of people will be caught out because they don't have photo id even if it is free.

I get what you're saying but there is literally nothing anyone can do about people like that.

If they've managed to miss the massive media campaign, and they don't want to check the internet or their polling cards that's on them.

There has to come a point where personal responsibility comes into play.

magicmole · 24/05/2024 16:17

pigsDOfly · 24/05/2024 14:47

@TwattyMcFuckFace Ah okay, thanks for that.

I was probably looking on the wrong site. It said it was £18 to buy. It did mention that it was for clubs and alcohol so probably not the same.

Even so. I'm sure a lot of people will be caught out because they don't have photo id even if it is free.

@pigsDOfly the £18 one does sound like the Citizen Card /PASS Card which can be used for all sorts of ID reasons and as proof of age for pubs and clubs.

The one you can get for free (which they've called a Voter Authority Certificate) can only be used for voting; you can't use it as proof of identification for any other reason. People can get one of these with a recent photo and their NI number.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’)

Apply for photo ID to vote (Voter Authority Certificate) in some elections and referendums in Great Britain if you do not have an accepted form of ID.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

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