This page outlines key figures from each local authority holding voter identification (ID) pilots at the May 2019 local elections. 

Local authorities

Impact on voters

Voters at the ballot box 

112,754

31%

203

73

0.3%
people were registered to vote of the electorate voted at the ballot box voters were initially turned away of those turned away did not return were not issued with a ballot paper

The types of ID that voters used 

In Braintree, voters could choose to show either a specified form of photo ID or two pieces of specified non-photo ID.

Nine out of every ten people (90.4%) used photographic identification at the polling station, with just 9.6% using ID with no picture.

 

90.4 percent of people used photographic identification. 9.6 percent of people did not.
Use of photographic ID in Braintree

The three most commonly-used forms of identification were:

56.3 percent of people used a driving license. 19.6 percent used a passport. 13.3 percent used a bus pass. 10.8 percent used another form.
Forms of ID used in Braintree

The local authority issued...

1
ID certificate locally

Experiences of voters

Of the people we spoke to:

42%

80%

100%

67%
had seen or heard something about the pilots knew that they would have to take a form of ID to the polling station think it would be easy to do at future elections would be more confident in the security of the election if photographic ID was required in the future

The top three places people heard about the pilots were:

Letter or postcard

Poll card

Local TV news
27% 25% 21%

Perceptions of fraud

The number of people who thought that electoral fraud is not a problem rose from 31% in January to 54% in May.

Chart showing the percentage of people who think fraud is a problem in January 2019 and May 2019
Perceptions of electoral fraud in Braintree. Rounding of figures means they may not total 100%.

In May, 99% of people thought voting in a polling station is safe from fraud or abuse.

 

Impact on administration of the poll

Of the electoral administration staff we spoke to:

99%

74%

66%

felt instructions on acceptable forms of ID were clear

had no problems checking ID

were very confident this could be replicated at another election

 

Impact on voters

Voters at the ballot box 

81,390

40%

231

69

0.3%
people were registered to vote of the electorate voted at the ballot bot voters were initially turned away of those turned away did not return of voters who tried to vote could not

The types of ID that voters used

In Broxtowe, voters could choose to show either a specified form of photo ID or two pieces of specified non-photo ID.

Nine out of every ten people (92.3%) used photographic identification at the polling station, with just 7.7% using ID with no picture.

Use of photographic ID in Broxtowe
Use of photographic ID in Broxtowe


The three most commonly-used forms of identification were:

Most common forms of ID
Forms of ID used. Other forms (shown in green) comprised 1.5%.

The local authority issued...

2

1

ID certificate locally

replacement polling card

Experiences of voters

Of the people we spoke to:

62%

94%

86%

45%
had seen or heard something about the pilots knew that they would have to take a form of ID to the polling station think it would be easy to do at future elections would be more confident in the security of the election if photographic ID was required in the future

The top three places people heard about the pilots were:

Poll card

Local TV news

Letter or postcard
38% 21% 20%


Perceptions of fraud

The number of people who thought that electoral fraud is not a problem rose from 27% in January to 54% in May.

Chart showing perceptions of fraud in Broxtowe
Perceptions of electoral fraud. Rounding of figures means they may not total 100%.

 

In May, 84% of people thought voting in a polling station is safe from fraud or abuse.

 

Impact on administration of the poll

Of the electoral administration staff we spoke to:

88%

63%

64%

felt instructions on acceptable forms of ID were clear

had no problems checking ID

were very confident this could be replicated at another election

Impact on voters

Voters at the ballot box 

27,687

37%

129

49

0.7%
people were registered to vote of the electorate voted at the ballot box voters were initially turned away of those turned away did not return were not issued with a ballot paper

The types of ID that voters used 

In Craven, voters could choose to show either a specified form of photo ID or two pieces of specified non-photo ID.

Nine out of every ten people (90.4%) used photographic identification at the polling station, with just 9.6% using ID with no picture.

 

90.4 percent of people used photographic identification. 9.6 percent of people did not.
Use of photographic ID in Craven

The three most commonly-used forms of identification were:

Most common forms of ID used in Craven
Forms of ID used in Craven

The local authority issued...

0
ID certificates locally

Experiences of voters

Of the people we spoke to:

61%

98%

80%

27%
had seen or heard something about the pilots knew that they would have to take a form of ID to the polling station think it would be easy to do at future elections would be more confident in the security of the election if photographic ID was required in the future

The top three places people heard about the pilots were:

Poll card

Letter or postcard

Local TV news
34% 29% 22%

Perceptions of fraud

Craven joined the pilot scheme too late to be included in the January public opinion fieldwork.

Chart showing perceptions of fraud in Craven
Perceptions of electoral fraud in Craven. Rounding of figures means they may not total 100%.

 

In May, 85% of people thought voting in a polling station is safe from fraud or abuse.

 

Impact on administration of the poll

Of the electoral administration staff we spoke to:

96%

73%

71%

felt instructions on acceptable forms of ID were clear

had no problems checking ID

were very confident this could be replicated at another election

Impact on voters

Voters at the ballot box 

178,641

36%

514

256

0.6%
people were registered to vote of the electorate voted at the ballot box voters were initially turned away of those turned away did not return were not issued with a ballot paper

The types of ID that voters used 

In Derby, voters could choose to show either a specified form of photo ID or two pieces of specified non-photo ID.

Eight out of every ten people (83.9%) used photographic identification at the polling station, with 16.1% using ID with no picture.

Chart showing the use of photographic ID in Derby
Use of photographic ID in Derby

The three most commonly-used forms of identification were:

Chart showing most common forms of ID used in Derby
Forms of ID used in Derby

The local authority issued...

0

300
ID certificate locally replacement poll cards

Experiences of voters

Of the people we spoke to:

45%

91%

90%

40%
had seen or heard something about the pilots knew that they would have to take a form of ID to the polling station think it would be easy to do at future elections would be more confident in the security of the election if photographic ID was required in the future

The top three places people heard about the pilots were:

Poll card

Local TV news

Local radio
33% 21% 16%

Perceptions of fraud

The number of people who thought that electoral fraud is not a problem fell from 32% in January to 30% in May.

Chart showing perceptions of fraud in Derby
Perceptions of electoral fraud in Derby. Rounding of figures means they may not total 100%.

 

In May, 85% of people thought voting in a polling station is safe from fraud or abuse.

 

Impact on administration of the poll

Of the electoral administration staff we spoke to:

92%

75%

77%

felt instructions on acceptable forms of ID were clear

had no problems checking ID

were very confident this could be replicated at another election

Impact on voters

Voters at the ballot box 

104,929

37%

15

8

0.03%
people were registered to vote of the electorate voted at the ballot box voters were initially turned away of those turned away did not return were not issued with a ballot paper

The types of ID that voters used 

In Mid Sussex, voters could show either their poll card or a specified form of photo ID.

Nine out of every ten people (94.4%) used their poll card at the polling station, with 5.6% using photographic identification.

Chart showing the use of photographic ID in Mid Sussex
Use of photographic ID in Mid Sussex

The three most commonly-used forms of identification were:

Chart showing the most common forms if ID used in Mid Sussex
Forms of ID used. 'Driving license' (shown in magenta) comprised 4.5%; 'passport' (purple) 0.9%; and other forms (green) 0.2%.

The local authority issued...

40-50
replacement poll cards

Experiences of voters

Of the people we spoke to:

36%

79%

92%

48%
had seen or heard something about the pilots knew that they would have to take a form of ID to the polling station think it would be easy to do at future elections would be more confident in the security of the election if photographic ID was required in the future

The top three places people heard about the pilots were:

Poll card

Local TV news

Letter or postcard
30% 14% 11%

Perceptions of fraud

The number of people who thought that electoral fraud is not a problem remained at 30% from January to May.

Chart showing perceptions of fraud in Mid Sussex
Perceptions of electoral fraud. Rounding of figures means they may not total 100%.

In May, 86% of people thought voting in a polling station is safe from fraud or abuse.

 

Impact on administration of the poll

Of the electoral administration staff we spoke to:

95%

72%

79%

felt instructions on acceptable forms of ID were clear

had no problems checking ID

were very confident this could be replicated at another election

Impact on voters

Voters at the ballot box 

81,219

31%

145

68

0.4%
people were registered to vote of the electorate voted at the ballot box voters were initially turned away of those turned away did not return were not issued with a ballot paper

The types of ID that voters used 

In North Kesteven, voters could choose to show either a specified form of photo ID or two pieces of specified non-photo ID.

Nine out of every ten people (89.6%) used photographic identification at the polling station, with 10.4% using ID with no picture.

Chart showing the use of photographic ID in North Kesteven
Use of photographic ID in North Kesteven

The three most commonly-used forms of identification were:

Chart showing most common forms of ID used in North Kesteven
Forms of ID used in North Kesteven

The local authority issued...

0
ID certificates locally

Experiences of voters

Of the people we spoke to:

49%

93%

97%

48%
had seen or heard something about the pilots knew that they would have to take a form of ID to the polling station think it would be easy to do at future elections would be more confident in the security of the election if photographic ID was required in the future

The top three places people heard about the pilots were:

Letter or postcard

Poll card

Word of mouth
59% 36% 14%

Perceptions of fraud

The number of people who thought that electoral fraud is not a problem rose from 35% in January to 59% in May.

Chart showing perceptions of fraud in North Kesteven
Perceptions of electoral fraud. Rounding of figures means they may not total 100%.

In May, 86% of people thought voting in a polling station is safe from fraud or abuse.

 

Impact on administration of the poll

Of the electoral administration staff we spoke to:

98%

78%

68%

felt instructions on acceptable forms of ID were clear

had no problems checking ID

were very confident this could be replicated at another election

Impact on voters

Voters at the ballot box 

62,660

31%

266

61

0.4%
people were registered to vote of the electorate voted at the ballot box voters were initially turned away of those turned away did not return were not issued with a ballot paper

The types of ID that voters used 

In NW Leics, voters could show either their poll card or a specified form of photo ID.

Nine out of every ten people (95.3%) used their poll card at the polling station, with just 4.6% using photographic ID.

Chart showing use of photographic ID in NW Leics
Use of photographic ID in NW Leics

The three most commonly-used forms of identification were:

Chart showing most common forms of ID used in NW Leics
Forms of ID used. 'Driving license' (shown in magenta) comprised 3.6%; 'passport' (purple) 0.6%; and other forms (green) 0.5%.


Experiences of voters

Of the people we spoke to:

38%

63%

90%

46%
had seen or heard something about the pilots knew that they would have to take a form of ID to the polling station think it would be easy to do at future elections would be more confident in the security of the election if photographic ID was required in the future

The top three places people heard about the pilots were:

Poll card

Local TV news

Word of mouth
24% 19% 15%

Perceptions of fraud

The number of people who thought that electoral fraud is not a problem fell from 38% in January to 26% in May.

Chart showing perceptions of fraud in NW Leics
Perceptions of electoral fraud. Rounding of figures means they may not total 100%.

In May, 87% of people thought voting in a polling station is safe from fraud or abuse.

 

Impact on administration of the poll

Of the electoral administration staff we spoke to:

98%

76%

56%

felt instructions on acceptable forms of ID were clear

had no problems checking ID

were very confident this could be replicated at another election

Impact on voters

Voters at the ballot box 

58,796

38%

284

101

0.7%
people were registered to vote of the electorate voted at the ballot box voters were initially turned away of those turned away did not return were not issued with a ballot paper

The types of ID that voters used 

In Pendle, voters had to show a specified form of photo ID.

The three most commonly-used forms of identification were:

Chart showing most common forms of ID used in Pendle
Forms of ID used in Pendle

The local authority issued...

70
local elector identity cards

Experiences of voters

Of the people we spoke to:

50%

90%

73%

32%
had seen or heard something about the pilots knew that they would have to take a form of ID to the polling station think it would be easy to do at future elections would be more confident in the security of the election if photographic ID was required in the future

The top three places people heard about the pilots were:

Local TV news

Letter or postcard

Local newspaper

and

Poll card
19% 17% 15%

Perceptions of fraud

The number of people who thought that electoral fraud is not a problem rose from 21% in January to 30% in May.

Chart showing perceptions of fraud in Pendle
Perceptions of electoral fraud. Rounding of figures means they may not total 100%.

In May, 74% of people thought voting in a polling station is safe from fraud or abuse.

 

Impact on administration of the poll

Of the electoral administration staff we spoke to:

91%

78%

63%

felt instructions on acceptable forms of ID were clear

had no problems checking ID

were very confident this could be replicated at another election

Impact on voters

Voters at the ballot box 

70,596

33%

94

33

0.2%
people were registered to vote of the electorate voted at the ballot box voters were initially turned away of those turned away did not return were not issued with a ballot paper

The types of ID that voters used 

In Watford, voters could show either their poll card or a specified form of photo ID.

Almost nine out of every ten people (88.2%) used their poll card at the polling station, with 11.8% using photo ID.

Chart showing use of photographic ID in Watford
Use of photographic ID in Watford

The three most commonly-used forms of identification were:

Chart showing most common forms of ID used in Watford
Forms of ID used in Watford. 'Passport' (shown in purple) comprised 2.6%, and other forms (in green) 0.8%.

The local authority issued...

69
replacement poll cards

Experiences of voters

Of the people we spoke to:

23%

66%

99%

83%
had seen or heard something about the pilots knew that they would have to take a form of ID to the polling station think it would be easy to do at future elections would be more confident in the security of the election if photographic ID was required in the future

The top three places people heard about the pilots were:

Word of mouth

Local newspaper

Local TV news
13% 11% 10%

Perceptions of fraud

The number of people who thought that electoral fraud is not a problem rose from 21% in January to 36% in May.

Chart showing perceptions of fraud in Watford
Perceptions of electoral fraud in Watford. Rounding of figures means they may not total 100%.

In May, 92% of people thought voting in a polling station is safe from fraud or abuse.

 

Impact on administration of the poll

Of the electoral administration staff we spoke to:

97%

82%

82%

felt instructions on acceptable forms of ID were clear

had no problems checking ID

were very confident this could be replicated at another election

Impact on voters

Voters at the ballot box 

74,156

36%

87

22

0.1%
people were registered to vote of the electorate voted at the ballot box voters were initially turned away of those turned away did not return were not issued with a ballot paper

The types of ID that voters used 

In Woking, voters had to show a specified form of photo ID.

The three most commonly-used forms of identification were:

Chart showing most common forms of ID used in Woking
Forms of ID used. Other forms (shown in green) comprised 2.0%.

The local authority issued...

24
local elector identity cards

Experiences of voters

Of the people we spoke to:

45%

99%

99%

41%
had seen or heard something about the pilots knew that they would have to take a form of ID to the polling station think it would be easy to do at future elections would be more confident in the security of the election if photographic ID was required in the future

The top three places people heard about the pilots were:

Letter or postcard

Poll card

Local newspaper
36% 27% 16%

Perceptions of fraud

The number of people who thought that electoral fraud is not a problem rose from 33% in January to 62% in May.

Chart showing perceptions of fraud in Woking
Perceptions of electoral fraud in Woking. Rounding of figures means they may not total 100%.

In May, 91% of people thought voting in a polling station is safe from fraud or abuse.

 

Impact on administration of the poll

Of the electoral administration staff we spoke to:

96%

77%

83%

felt instructions on acceptable forms of ID were clear

had no problems checking ID

were very confident this could be replicated at another election