Can you use an expired passport and driving licence as voter ID in …
Voters in England are being urged to check they have the correct identification for polling days set for the cities such as Leicester[1], Bedford, Mansfield and Middlesbrough where people are electing their new mayors on Thursday, May 4. More than 8,000 council seats are up for grabs[2] across 230 local authorities, but voters need to be aware of new election rules.
Craig Westwood, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, told the PA news agency: “The elections[3] are quickly approaching and there a few steps that voters should take to be ready. Firstly, everyone must be registered to vote, and the deadline for applying is midnight on April 17.”
Mr Westwood explained: “For the first time in England, voters will need to show photographic ID before they receive a ballot paper in a polling station[4].” This has led to some confusion on the question of what constitutes acceptable forms of ID.
Passports issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country are accepted. You can also use a driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence). Other forms of valid ID include a blue badge and the older person’s bus pass, but travelcards for younger people are not accepted.
For a full list of acceptable IDs, check the official Government list here[6]. If you do not have an accepted ID, then you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate here[7].
Meanwhile, People are asking whether they will be able to present an expired passport or driving licence. The answer is yes, as long as the photo still looks like you. However, you still are encouraged to keep all forms of identification up to date.
Though the Government[8] claims the move to require voter ID is to protect the integrity of democracy, the Electoral Reform Society and Unlock Democracy have warned as many as two million people in Britain do not currently have the right form of identification to vote.
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References
- ^ Leicester (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ council seats are up for grabs (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ elections (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ polling station (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Who’s out in Leicester, who’s in and who’s been moved as Labour announces candidates for May’s election (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ official Government list here (www.electoralcommission.org.uk)
- ^ apply for a Voter Authority Certificate here (www.gov.uk)
- ^ Government (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ newsletter here (data.reachplc.com)