If you want to vote in person, make sure you have ID and take it with you

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Message ends. I anticipate a lot of people will be caught out come 4th July. The link below shows what's accepted and also how to get a postal vote.

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id

I mean, you won't be far from home. Hardly a massive drama 🤣

Maybe the councils will let people applying for their voter ID before the deadline if there's an issue. Unlike the last election where they told me afterwards.

Boris Johnson turned up to vote in the London Mayor election and didn't have any ID on him. Guess who introduced the requirement ...

As for it not being a 'massive drama' , not everybody will have time to go home to get their ID and not everybody will have a form of ID that can be accepted. Hence the public service announcement.

But no one should be caught out by needing id to vote. We’re all aware of the requirement. I wonder if local authorities can help those who are elderly or disabled?

"Boris Johnson turned up to vote in the London Mayor election and didn't have any ID on him. Guess who introduced the requirement ..."

Bless you, he wasn't "caught out". He wanted to be in the news. Classic

Are we?

https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/49305-14-were-still-unaware-of-voter-id-rules-ahead-of-2024-local-elections (May 2nd 2024)

YouGov research conducted three weeks ahead of the 2023 local elections found that 76% of Britons were aware of the new voter ID rules, and now our latest poll finds that this figure had since risen to 86%. Nevertheless, this still means that 14% of people were still unaware that they will need photo ID if they try to vote in person.

Very likely. Thank goodness he's stood down as an MP.

Not sure why people are being snarky, if your message is likely to remind someone or bring it to their attention then it’s a good thing!

Thanks, @Twotooto, that was my thinking! Voter turnout is always far higher for general elections than local council elections so for a lot of people the General Election is likely to be the first time they've ever had to produce ID to vote. This could be a very tight race in some constituencies. It would be a shame if the result hinged on who'd remembered to take their ID along.

And if like me you are housebound register now for a postal vote.

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

Here is a link to apply for a voter authority certificate if you don't have photo ID.

I've already voted twice since they brought the ID rule in, I think I've got a handle on it now.

Honestly, if people haven't twigged from the news on tv or the national press, the local paper, the election leaflets, information all over social media and the instructions on their polling card, they probably aren't bright enough to vote.

Very important point. Also if you are going to be on holiday or away for work and still want to be able to vote.

I live in a borough where to e Council had done lots to publicize the new ID requirements. People still turned up to vote without it. Younger people cannot show their bus passes like older people can. Any reminder of how to apply for voter ID or for a postal vote is timely.

The words 'no shit sherlock' spring to mind.

@blacksax well aren’t you charming. If you already know all about this, then why not just move past the post and read something else rather than add a snide comment.

This is a rule that has been introduced since the last general election, not everyone has local elections at the same time and not everyone is as bothered about voting in local elections. So why not remind people.

No photo ID required if you register to vote by post. https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

Come on. Everybody has to vote for the first time at some point in their lives. Not everybody grew up in a family where voting was the norm. Many people on MN constantly talk about how busy they are. The odd one might be pleased to have the obvious pointed out.

It's no joke. It unfairly impacts poorer people who don't have driving licences or passports.

People can get approved ID from the LA but it's not widely known.

Well yeah. Does this all really need spelling out?

The OP was overly patronising.

Thanks. My driving licence's at the bottom of my bag, where it always is since I drive most days. I don't go out without it. I'll cope.

It's the first election in Scotland where we will need voter ID.