Freedom of information response

1. What is the total budget that is to be spent on awareness campaigns, - There is no specified budget, it is contained within the overall electoral services budget

ii) what is the spend up to the 28th February 2023?     The awareness campaign has been undertaken using mainly in-house resources.  £499 has been spent on publicity

b) How much of the total budget is local authority funded and how much is funded by central government? New burdens funding has been provided and £499 of the funding has been used to raise awareness

c) How many days have council staff spent on the awareness campaign?    – estimate approximately 7 days

d) What assessment did you make of the number/% of residents who were unaware of the requirement to present photo ID at polling stations before your campaign started? No specific assessment was made.  The Electoral Commission has provided statistics on their national awareness campaign.  Assumptions for Thurrock were based on national data provided by the Electoral Commission (EC).  The EC voter ID pre-campaign survey undertaken in December 2022 found 78% of people were unaware of the new requirement to show photo ID in polling stations.

e) What target have you set for the number/% of residents who are aware of the need for Photo ID, ii) how are you measuring it and iii) what is your latest estimate of the number/% of residents who are aware of the need for photo voter ID?  The communication team is currently monitoring the effectiveness of the communications plan.  The Electoral Commission reported on 10 March a jump in voters’ awareness of the new Voter ID requirement from 22% in December 2022 to 63% in February 2023.

f) Which, if any, groups have been identified as the most difficult to communicate the new requirements under the Election Act 2022 to?

As guided by the Electoral Commission we have identified the following groups as needing the most support in accessing photo ID and have worked with partners to increase awareness

• • Disabled People
  • Traveller Communities
  • Older People
  • People experiencing homelessness
  • People who are registered to vote anonymously

g) How much extra time has been set aside for training polling station staff who will be present at the local election polling stations on the 4th May 2023 on the new requirements under the Election Act 2022 to present a photo ID at polling stations?

Training will take place in the coming weeks and will cover all aspects of each role, including but not limited to new voter ID and accessibility requirements.

h) What additional planning have you undertaken with the local police force to ensure that polling stations staff are kept safe in the event that voters raise concerns regarding having to show photo ID?

Meetings have taken place with local police to ensure provisions are in place to keep polling station staff safe.  A local plan will be developed for polling day.  Please note that the practice of liaising with the police is standard practice at each election.

i) What guidance have you received from central government regarding the safety of polling station staff on polling day?

No guidance has been received from central government regarding the safety of polling station staff on polling day.

j) How many questions or complaints from residents have you received regarding the new requirements for Voter ID under the Election Act 2022?

Tracking has recently begun to understand the nature of contact, questions or issues raised regarding Voter ID. Due to the timing of the request we would be happy to reconsider and collate this information post 4 May, if you choose to resubmit the question.

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