Voter ID Analysis

Voter ID was introduced as part of the Election Act 2022.  The first elections to use Voter ID was held in May 2023.  Here is the analysis from each election.

Voter ID Analysis - July 2024

Parliamentary Election

The following data shows the number of people who brought ID to the polling station for Preston Constituency of the Parliamentary Election on 4 July 2024.

• The data shows that 99.8% of electors voting in Preston Constituency polling stations brought photo ID that met voter ID requirements. 
• 31120 electors voted at our 78 polling stations in the general election.  24 of those polling stations had additional Poll Clerks to greet and assist electors arriving at the station.
• At the end of polling day, 63 electors who tried to vote in a polling station were not given a ballot paper because they did not meet the voter ID requirements - 0.2%.
• The figures also show while 217 electors were initially turned away, 154 returned with acceptable ID and were able to vote. This means 71% of those initially turned away returned and were issued with a ballot paper.

Voter ID Analysis - May 2024

Local & Police and Crime Commissioner Elections

The following data shows the number of people who brought ID to the polling station for Preston City Council and Police & Crime Commissioner  Elections on 2 May 2024.

• 99.5% of electors voting in Preston Constituency polling stations brought photo ID that met voter ID requirements. 
• 17901 electors voted at our 88 polling stations in the Local and Police Election. 20 of those polling stations had additional Poll Clerks to greet and assist electors arriving at the station.
• At the end of polling day, 91 electors who tried to vote in a polling station were not given a ballot paper because they did not meet the voter ID requirements - 1.5%.
• The figures also show while 261 electors were initially turned away, 170 returned with acceptable ID and were able to vote. This means 65.1% of those initially turned away returned and were issued with a ballot paper.

Voter ID Analysis - May 2023

Local and Parish Elections

The following data shows the number of people who brought ID to the polling station for Preston City Council Local and Parish Elections on 4 May 2023.

• 99.1% of electors voting in Preston City Council polling stations brought photo ID that met newly introduced voter ID requirements. 
• 17,415 electors voted at our 88 polling stations on 4 May.  24 of those polling stations had additional Poll Clerks to greet and assist electors arriving at the station.
• At the end of polling day, 162 electors who tried to vote in a polling station were not given a ballot paper because they did not meet the new voter ID requirements - 0.9%.
• The figures also show that whilst 419 electors were initially turned away, 257 returned with acceptable ID and were able to vote. This means that 61.3% of those initially turned away returned and were issued with a ballot paper.

Overall Comments

It is disappointing to turn away anyone from a polling station at any Election, but it is essential that we comply with the Photo ID requirements, and that anyone presenting their photo ID brings one of the accepted list of photo ID documents with them to vote. The ID must also be the original document and not cannot be shown on a phone or a photocopy.

Anyone who doesn't have photo ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate at any time, you don't have to wait until the next election, as the ID is valid for 10 years.

A list of accepted photo ID and information on how to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate are on our dedicated Voter ID page.

Our Election Results page shows the results from each of these elections and more.