Freedom of information response
Voter ID
How many Voter Authority Certificates (VACs) has the council issued, how many applications has it rejected, and what is the demographic profile of those applications, both accepted and rejected?
Can you confirm that the Chief Executive, acting in their role as the Returning Officer, and/or the Elections Department of your council, has received guidance from the Electoral Commission and/or the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities about implementing the new voter ID legislation for the May 4th elections?
Can you confirm a) all polling station staff have been trained on implementing the new processes and if so, b) what that training has entailed.
Can you confirm whether the Chief Executive, in their role as Returning Officer, has presented a report on preparedness for the Voter ID requirements to the full council or any other appropriate committee of the council?
Has this included a risk assessment and mitigation plan? (If yes, please can you supply a copy of that report?)
Can you confirm whether an audit has been undertaken of all proposed polling stations to identify a private room for those people who, for whatever reason, cover their face in public? What was the outcome of this audit if it has happened? (For example, have any polling stations been found to be unsuitable, and if so, how many?)
Has the council undertaken a public information campaign to inform voters about the new Voter ID requirements?
- How many Voter Authority Certificates (VACs) has the council issued, how many applications has it rejected, and what is the demographic profile of those applications, both accepted and rejected?
An application for a VAC is made to the ERO and not the council. Issued requires the VAC to be printed by the government contracted printer once determined by the ERO. Therefore the council has not issued or rejected any VACs as it is not within their remit to. There is no legal requirement for the ERO to record the total of applications and rejections.
There is no requirement on EROs to record the demographic profile of applications. This data is not available to us. Further information may be found on the Government dashboard https://voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/performance
- Can you confirm that the Chief Executive, acting in their role as the Returning Officer, and/or the Elections Department of your council, has received guidance from the Electoral Commission and/or the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities about implementing the new voter ID legislation for the May 4th elections?
This information is readily available on the Electoral Commission’s website. The following links highlight the guidance that has been received to date:
- Can you confirm a) all polling station staff have been trained on implementing the new processes and if so, b) what that training has entailed.
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
- Can you confirm whether the Chief Executive, in their role as Returning Officer, has presented a report on preparedness for the Voter ID requirements to the full council or any other appropriate committee of the council? A member briefing was held.
- Has this included a risk assessment and mitigation plan? (If yes, please can you supply a copy of that report?) No
- Can you confirm whether an audit has been undertaken of all proposed polling stations to identify a private room for those people who, for whatever reason, cover their face in public? What was the outcome of this audit if it has happened? (For example, have any polling stations been found to be unsuitable, and if so, how many?)
There is no requirement to provide a private room, simply a private area, which could mean via a privacy screen or alternative. Polling stations have been assessed to determine how to accommodate this new requirement and provide a private area for voter ID checks. Please note that any elector can request to have their photo ID checked in private and they are not required to give a reason for this.
- Has the council undertaken a public information campaign to inform voters about the new Voter ID requirements? Yes
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