A number of constituents have contacted me regarding voter ID.

A secure electoral system is vital to a healthy democracy, and the public must have confidence that our elections are secure and fit for the 21st century. Asking voters to bring photographic identification to their polling station is an important way of achieving this. 

Identification to vote has been backed by the Electoral Commission and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which state that its absence is a security risk. Without a requirement for identification at the polling station, it is harder to take out a library book or collect a parcel at a post office than it is to vote in someone else’s name. 

Showing identification to prove who you are is something people of all walks of life already do every day. A wide range of photographic identification documents will be accepted at the polling station, and the Voter Authority Certificate was created so that anyone without identification can apply for a free new one from their local authority. The Government will continue to raise awareness of the Voter Authority Certificate. 

You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate to use in future elections and referendums, using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.