[Reproduced from Liberty]
Did you know you now need photo ID to vote in-person at an election?
This is the first General Election in the UK where ID is required to vote.
Since they were first proposed, Liberty has opposed the mandatory voter ID requirements. In a healthy democracy, everyone should have the right to vote. But mandatory voter ID is designed to make voting harder. It is unnecessary and undemocratic.
Those who are already marginalised and under-represented by our political system are most likely to be affected by mandatory voter ID. If you’re young, if you’re a person of colour, if you’re disabled, trans or you don’t have a fixed address, you’re much less likely to have photo ID and risk being shut off from voting.
Now that voter ID requirements are in force, we have been working with partners in the media and across society to make sure everyone knows what they need to bring with them when they cast their vote on 4 July. Access our free guidance on voter ID for more information.
VOTER ID GUIDANCE – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW →
You don’t need photo ID to vote via post, and if you’re voting via proxy, your nominated person will need to bring their ID to vote for you. However, if you’re voting in-person on the 4 July, you will need photo ID.
Our free online advice answers key questions like:
- What kind of ID can I use?
- What if my ID doesn’t look like me?
- What if I don’t have any ID?
It’s not too late to get your Voter ID
The election is in less than two weeks, but if you still need ID, it’s not too late.
If you don’t have an accepted form of ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) before the deadline of 5pm tomorrow, on Wednesday 26 June.
Voter ID advice for trans and non-binary people
Just last week, Liberty teamed up with Pink News to provide specific advice for trans and non-binary people who are concerned about using voter ID.
And remember, if you’re still unsure about using the ID you currently have, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) until 5pm tomorrow.
We hope this information has been helpful, and that you share it with your friends, family and colleagues to ensure that everyone has a chance to vote this General Election.
