New rules have been announced for local elections, which will require voters to show photographic identification at polling stations starting from this May. The move has been made in an effort to reduce voter fraud and ensure the integrity of the voting process. However, the new rules have raised concerns among some groups, particularly younger voters who are less likely to have suitable ID.

Residents in New Forest West with current UK passports or photocard driving licences already have suitable ID. However, those who do not have either of these forms of ID will need to obtain another form of photo ID from the government’s list of accepted documents. The Electoral Commission has produced a list of the accepted forms of ID, which can be found on their website.

The Electoral Commission has produced a handy list of the accepted forms of ID that is worth checking at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id

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