Latest news with #ElectionsAct2022
Western Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire: Changes to postal voting arrangements
The new rules, introduced by the Elections Act 2022, mean that those who want to vote by post in UK Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner elections must reapply every three years. The application process can be started on the government website and requires a clear photo of your signature. These changes do not apply to Senedd or local elections. There will be no local elections in Wales this year, with the next scheduled election being the Senedd election in May 2026. The Council's website has more information about renewing postal voting arrangements. People can also contact Electoral Services by email at electoralservices@ or by phone on 01437 775844.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Man questions rejection of bus pass as voter ID
A man has questioned why he was unable to vote in local elections after his bus pass was not accepted as a valid form of ID. Mike Frost from Bristol tried to use his West of England Combined Authority (WECA) bus pass to vote at St Martins Lane polling station, but was turned away. A total of 12 types of travel passes from around the UK are considered valid forms of ID, but the WECA pass is not among them. The Electoral Commission told the BBC polling station staff cannot allow people to vote if they carry a form of ID that has not been formally approved. Mr Frost had been trying to cast his vote in the WECA mayoral election on Thursday. He said the polling station "refused to let me vote, despite agreeing that, yes, I was who I said I was and that I had proved this". "This is absurd" he added. "This is petty bureaucracy gone mad. It is the rot of our democracy." In total, more than 20 types of document are accepted, including passports, driving licences, older or Disabled Person's bus passes, as well as Oyster 60+ cards. The WECA pass carries a photo of the user and permits them to use Bristol buses for free during the month of their birthday, but does not carry a date of birth. More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol The BBC approached the Electoral Commission, the independent body that oversees UK elections, about Mr Frost's concerns. Its response confirmed "the Elections Act 2022 specifies the types of documents that are accepted forms of ID". It added: "Under the legislation, polling station staff can not give voters a ballot paper unless they are able to show one of those forms. "The list has been passed by parliament and cannot be amended by the Commission." Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Labour mayor 'thrilled' to win close Reform race Lib Dems win in Gloucestershire as Tories lose seats Liberal Democrats become biggest Wiltshire party The Electoral Commission
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Bristol man furious as bus pass turned down as voting ID
A man has questioned why he was unable to vote in local elections after his bus pass was not accepted as a valid form of Frost from Bristol tried to use his West of England Combined Authority (WECA) bus pass to vote at St Martins Lane polling station, but was turned away.A total of 12 types of travel passes from around the UK are considered valid forms of ID, but the WECA pass is not among Electoral Commission told the BBC polling station staff cannot allow people to vote if they carry a form of ID that has not been formally approved. Mr Frost had been trying to cast his vote in the WECA mayoral election on said the polling station "refused to let me vote, despite agreeing that, yes, I was who I said I was and that I had proved this". "This is absurd" he added."This is petty bureaucracy gone mad. It is the rot of our democracy."In total, more than 20 types of document are accepted, including passports, driving licences, older or Disabled Person's bus passes, as well as Oyster 60+ WECA pass carries a photo of the user and permits them to use Bristol buses for free during the month of their birthday, but does not carry a date of birth. The BBC approached the Electoral Commission, the independent body that oversees UK elections, about Mr Frost's response confirmed "the Elections Act 2022 specifies the types of documents that are accepted forms of ID". It added: "Under the legislation, polling station staff can not give voters a ballot paper unless they are able to show one of those forms."The list has been passed by parliament and cannot be amended by the Commission."
Belfast Telegraph
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Veteran card is now accepted as photo ID at polling stations
There are only certain kinds of photo identification that will be accepted at polling stations and voters without the correct ID will be turned away. A passport, driving licence photocard or blue badge are all valid, as is an older person's bus pass. The veteran card is now also accepted, after the rules on photo ID were updated in October 2024. The card is a formal recognition of military service and can be used by veterans to get easier access to support from the NHS, charities and local authorities. Niki Nixon, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, told the PA news agency: 'This year, for the first time, the list of acceptable voter ID will include the armed forces veteran card. 'This means you can show your veteran card at polling stations in order to vote. 'Everyone voting at a polling station on Thursday will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper, so we're encouraging all voters to check they have a form of ID they can use. 'The full list of acceptable ID can be found on the Electoral Commission website. 'If you've lost your ID, you can appoint an emergency proxy to vote on your behalf. 'You will need to contact your council to arrange this before 5pm on election day, and the person you appoint will need their own accepted form of photo ID.' Photo ID rules were brought in as part of the Elections Act 2022 and were first enforced in England in 2023 and across Britain at the 2024 general election. Voters in Northern Ireland have been required to show ID at elections since 2003. A report by the Electoral Commission estimated that 0.08% of people who tried to vote at a polling station at the 2024 general election were not issued with a ballot paper because they did not have an accepted form of ID – the equivalent of one in 1,200 voters, or around 16,000 people across Britain. Some 23 local authorities in England are holding elections on Thursday, with a total of 1,641 council seats up for grabs. Elections are also taking place for four regional mayors and two local mayors, while voters in the constituency of Runcorn & Helsby will choose a new MP. Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Veteran card is now accepted as photo ID at polling stations
People with an armed forces veteran card can use it as photo ID for the first time in Thursday's elections in England, following a change in the law. There are only certain kinds of photo identification that will be accepted at polling stations and voters without the correct ID will be turned away. A passport, driving licence photocard or blue badge are all valid, as is an older person's bus pass. The veteran card is now also accepted, after the rules on photo ID were updated in October 2024. The card is a formal recognition of military service and can be used by veterans to get easier access to support from the NHS, charities and local authorities. Niki Nixon, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, told the PA news agency: 'This year, for the first time, the list of acceptable voter ID will include the armed forces veteran card. 'This means you can show your veteran card at polling stations in order to vote. 'Everyone voting at a polling station on Thursday will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper, so we're encouraging all voters to check they have a form of ID they can use. 'The full list of acceptable ID can be found on the Electoral Commission website. 'If you've lost your ID, you can appoint an emergency proxy to vote on your behalf. 'You will need to contact your council to arrange this before 5pm on election day, and the person you appoint will need their own accepted form of photo ID.' Photo ID rules were brought in as part of the Elections Act 2022 and were first enforced in England in 2023 and across Britain at the 2024 general election. Voters in Northern Ireland have been required to show ID at elections since 2003. A report by the Electoral Commission estimated that 0.08% of people who tried to vote at a polling station at the 2024 general election were not issued with a ballot paper because they did not have an accepted form of ID – the equivalent of one in 1,200 voters, or around 16,000 people across Britain. Some 23 local authorities in England are holding elections on Thursday, with a total of 1,641 council seats up for grabs. Elections are also taking place for four regional mayors and two local mayors, while voters in the constituency of Runcorn & Helsby will choose a new MP. Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.
