NEARLY half of voters in the UK believe a polling card is sufficient ID for voting in the General Election, a poll has indicated.
A survey for Byline Times conducted by independent pollsters WeThink suggested 47% of Brits mistakenly think a polling card will be enough to allow them to cast a ballot.
It comes amid reports of confusion around the new rules for UK-wide elections which require people to bring identification that includes an up-to-date photo of them on it.
Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison described the reports as “worrying”.
Acceptable forms of ID include a driving licence, passport, a Young Scot card, an older or disabled person’s bus pass, or a blue badge.
People do not need to bring polling cards with them to vote but they will be turned away without legitimate ID.
It is the General Election since the rule came into place last year, with Scots experiencing having to take ID with them to vote for the first time, as the rule does not apply in Holyrood or Scottish council elections.
‼️ Worrying reports that a large number of voters think a polling card is sufficient ID. ❌ Your poll card is NOT a form of ID, in fact it’s information only and you don’t need to take it with you to vote. 🪪 What you DO need to vote is photo ID. Please check the list below 👇 pic.twitter.com/HWEsPF2dQh
— Shona Robison MSP (Dundee City East Constituency) (@ShonaRobisonMSP) July 4, 2024
Last week the Electoral Reform Society warned that over one million voters risked not having an accepted form of identification to vote.
The Byline Times survey also found that 7% of Brits were not aware that they needed to provide a valid form of photo ID to vote.
In a separate question, 7% did not think they possessed a valid form of ID. There may be overlap between the two groups.
Elsewhere, the poll showed almost a fifth of voters do not believe their vote truly counts.
If you turn up to a polling station without ID, you can go home and get some and return later to vote.
To find out more about valid forms of ID, click here.
