News We all need photo ID to vote in future
All voters attending polling stations across Britain will now need to show photographic identification before they receive their ballot paper to vote.
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) will be holding its next local election on Thursday 4 May 2023 and is encouraging all residents to cast their vote but is reminding everyone to bring a form of photo ID which will be required for them to do so.
The UK has very low levels of proven electoral fraud but the new policy – which is part of the Elections Act 2022 has been introduced to give the public more confidence in voting and stamp out any potential fraud taking place. According to Electoral Commission public opinion research, two-thirds of people say they would feel more confident in the security of the voting system if there was a requirement to show photo ID.
Angela Woodhouse, Returning Officer for Maidstone Borough Council said:
Everyone’s vote counts and we want to ensure everyone who is eligible can vote in May 2023. We are asking voters to be prepared before they go to the polling station and remember to take a valid form of photo ID with them so that they can cast their vote.
There will be a wide range of photographic identification which will be acceptable at polling stations which include:
- Driver’s licences
- Passports
- Some concessionary travel passes
- PASS cards
- Ministry of Defence identity cards
- Photocard parking permits issued as part of the Blue Badge scheme
- Free Voter Cards, provided by local authorities
Expired photographic identification will also be accepted if the photograph is of a good enough likeness to allow polling station staff to confirm the identity of the holder.
Anyone in Maidstone who is registered but does not have one of the approved types of photo ID will be able to get a free Voter Card from Maidstone Borough Council from 16 January. More details of how to apply will be available nearer the time, but an application will be able to be made via the gov.uk website.
A third of Maidstone’s 55 seats are up for election, and Polling stations across the borough will open on Thursday 4 May for people to cast their votes between 7am and 10pm on polling day, and the count will take place on Friday 5 May with results being made available later that day.
To find out more about voter photo ID go to: www.electoralcommission.org.uk