Voter ID rules should be much clearer?

[BobbyBiscuits]

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!

I think the rule should be scrapped.

Some people will be caught out, whatever is done to publicise it. Others will just plain forget on the day and not have time to go back.

And yet more will be nudged towards postal voting - a method which is wide open to abuse, fraud and household coercion.

Crap policy, risk of worsening fraud, and utter symbol of Tory incompetence

@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.

'Hidden' by the Government?

Well they didn't hide it very well, what with it being right there on their website...

The photo on your ID must look like you. You can still use your ID even if it has expired.

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

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.

There are so many well publicised methods of showing ID, everyone should be able to vote!

Whilst I think they shouldn't have photo I'd at all...I don't feel like they are hiding the rules. If anything they are banging on about them.

I've had a leaflet and also the whole of the back of the polling card for that last local election was about ID.

It's hardly hidden when they produce posters with this information. There's been one displayed in our local library for ages.

You can get a postal vote without ID and as pp said you can apply for free ID

So they don’t need to go and pay for a passport

Why would someone buy a passport if they can't even afford a bus fare?

No one needs to buy a passport. It's perfectly simple, and a lot cheaper, to buy a citizen card.

Although, having said that, it's bloody ridiculous, and unfair, for someone to have to buy an id card so that they can exercise their right to vote.

I also imagine that a lot of people are not aware that there is such a thing as a citizen card so will just assume they can't vote without a passport of driving licence.

,

My friends and family members thought they would not be able to as they have no current valid photo ID.

And not one of them bothered to click the government website, where it's very much not hidden?

Some people just don't help themselves, do they?

How on earth can you say it has been hidden by the government when it is right there on the government's website. It is perfectly clear. I think if you have multiple friends and family members that are not capable of googling then that is quite unusual. Maybe you just know a lot of very dim people.

Although, having said that, it's bloody ridiculous, and unfair, for someone to have to buy an id card so that they can exercise their right to vote.

They don't, it's free.

And it's all there on the website.

Right here

Called a Voter Authority Certificate.

Ok well I'm obviously a moron then and so are my family, for not knowing this info before!

And if you think I'm being insulting to poor people then I'm insulting myself.

I'm glad it's clearly well known to most of you already.

As I said, the thread I'm referring to was insulting to poor people, as so many people had them down as too stupid to read a government website.

If people want to vote, it's their responsibility to know how to go about it, or find someone to help them if for example they can't access the internet.

Weeks before the local elections there were ads on TV reminding you that you needed ID and to check the website for acceptable ID

The poll card listed acceptable ID and how to apply for a FREE Voter ID certificate

Local community venues have had posters up explaining acceptable ID

If you didn't know then it's because you couldn't be bothered to know tbh

Well most adults are capable of finding information out. It has been very well publicised for many months now. If people aren't willing to take in the information available to them there isn't much more the government can do. It literally is a 10 second google. I assume most of these friends and family have a phone or tablet or other way to connect to the Internet. Even if some don't they must have people in their circle that do. It really isn't difficult.

Most competent adults know this information. The same as you can get a free ID.

When rules change, you generally look for information.

My 18 year old doesn't have the correct ID so we have applied to vote by post.

They don't want to encourage voting at the moment. I'm really pissed off that they've called the election for the first week of the Scottish holidays when lots of people go away before the English break up for summer. I bet they're delighted that lots of Scottish people won't end up voting. Hateful fuckers.

Haven't you voted since it came in? I've had to take ID twice already and I feel like I was bombarded with information about what ID I could take.

We even had someone on the doorstep asking if we wanted help to apply for the government card.

@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.

You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate up until 26th June, though personally I'd do it sooner in case of postal delays. You'll need to already be registered to vote.

If you're not registered to vote the deadline is 18th June. You should get a reminder about voter ID when you register and be asked if you'd also like to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate then.

If you're already registered but will be away on election day you can apply for a postal vote until the 19th June and for a proxy vote until 26th June.

The rules have changed this year regarding handing in postal votes at the polling station and it is now more complicated - if you find yourself needing to to this please check the rules.

All info available on the Electoral Commission website, if anyone you know is at risk of being put off by the totally unnecessary hurdles now in place please give them a helpful nudge.

How about instead of insulting each other, we accept that in fact, not everyone is aware of this yet, that not everyone has voted in a election since last May (25% local turnout anyone?) and that the more times this is posted, the more people see it and are made aware?

Not everything in AIBU has to be a pile on.

@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.