What changes to voter ID laws mean for you

From May 2023, UK voters need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.

While the government says this will boost electoral legitimacy, campaigners argue that a huge number of voters could be excluded from the democratic process. 

Which forms of ID are accepted?

In previous years, voters have been able to turn up to a polling station and simply give their name and address. Now, a change to the law means that you must show a valid form of photo ID - which includes a provisional or full driving licence or passport - in order to cast your ballot.

An estimated two million voters do not already hold the necessary documents. At the beginning of 2023, the government launched a scheme to allow those voters to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate instead. 

Why have these changes been introduced?

Ministers say that the new measure is needed to “protect the integrity of elections” and point out that voter ID is required in many other countries.

However, statistics show that voter fraud is pretty unusual in the UK. Since 2018, there have been 1,386 cases of alleged fraud reported to the police, which has resulted in nine convictions and six police cautions. However, some Conservative MPs claim the statistics underplay the issue, the BBC has reported.

What do critics say?

The measure has been met with fierce opposition from democracy campaigners, who argue that it will make it harder for certain groups to vote. Equality organisations have warned that people from ethnic minority communities - who are statistically less likely to possess a full driving licence - will be disproportionately impacted. 

The charity Stonewall has also expressed concern that the law could discourage LGBTQ+ voters, who are three times less likely to possess an approved form of photo ID.

Others have criticised the fact that young people’s travel cards are not permitted as a valid form of voter ID, while those used by elderly people are.

What does this mean for upcoming votes?

A survey at the end of March found that one in four voters wrongly believed that they didn’t need ID at the 4 May local elections, leading to widespread concern that thousands could be turned away from polling stations on the day.

The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on 25 April 2023 - and here’s a reminder of the accepted forms of photo ID.