30% Of Young People Don’t Know You Need ID To Vote

A recent YouGov poll has found that 30% of young people aged 18-24 are unaware that you need photo ID to vote...

Written byHolly Barrow
Published on
Read time4 min read

A recent poll carried out by YouGov following the local elections earlier this month found that a whopping 30% of young people were unaware that photo ID is now needed to vote…

With the upcoming general election, authorities are working to improve awareness among regions and age demographics where it was found that people are more likely to be unaware of voter ID rules. 

In April 2022, the Elections Act 2022 was passed by UK parliament. This meant that from May 2023, voters were required to show a form of photo ID before being given their ballot paper in polling stations. 

Students Denied Vote Cardiff

The new rules were first tested during the 2023 local elections, with the Electoral Commission estimating at the time that 14,000 potential voters (0.25% of the total) were turned away due to a lack of ID.

YouGov research conducted three weeks ahead of the 2023 local elections found that 76% of Britons were aware of the new voter ID rules, with its latest poll finding that this figure has since risen to 86%. 

But this means that around 14% of people are still unaware of the new rules regarding the requirement of photo ID, which may pose problems for these potential voters when the general election arrives on 4th July… 

YouGov’s most recent poll found that those intending to vote either Conservative or Labour at the forthcoming general election were equally likely to be unaware of the photo ID rules, at 9% apiece.

General Election Vote Student

In England and Wales, 12-15% of people were unaware of the rule changes, while in Scotland, this figure rose to 34%. 

But perhaps most strikingly, young people were significantly less likely to be aware of the new photo ID requirements compared to older age groups - in particular those aged 18-24 years old, with 30% unaware of the changes. 

With this in mind, it’s worth noting that TOTUM offers both young people and professionals a valid form of photo ID for voting, without you having to risk losing your passport or driving licence.

Whether you’re a student, an apprentice or a professional, you can get age ID with your TOTUM membership - which means access to hundreds of discounts from leading brands as well as a valid form of photo ID which can be used when casting your vote! 

Simply add official PASS Proof of Age ID to your bundle when signing up, and you’re good to go.

Voted General Election

Despite concerns surrounding the new requirement for photo ID when voting, YouGov’s poll shows that two thirds of Britons support the changes. But don’t let a lack of photo ID come between you and your vote! 

Make sure to get a valid form of ID (such as our PASS Proof of Age ID) ahead of the general election on 4th July. 

Valid forms of photo ID for voting include: 

  • Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card) 

  • 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)

  • A Blue Badge

  • Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government

  • Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government

  • 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London

  • Freedom Pass

  • Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass)

  • 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card

  • Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card

  • Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

  • Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

  • War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

  • 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

  • Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

  • Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

Other government issued documents such as:

  • Biometric immigration document

  • Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)

  • National identity card issued by an EEA state

  • Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland

  • Voter Authority Certificate

  • Anonymous Elector's Document

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