Thank you for contacting me about the use of student identification at polling stations.
A secure electoral system is a vital component of a healthy democracy, and the public must have confidence that our elections are secure and fit for the 21st century. Asking voters to bring photographic identification to their polling station is an important way of achieving this and the Elections Act puts such a requirement into law.
The legislation sets out a broad list of photographic identity documents that will be permitted for the purpose of voting at polling stations. Central to this is a consideration of the level of security checks required to obtain each type of identification. It is for this reason that some types of photographic identification are not included as they do not comply with the same rigorous security checks.
A significantly more stringent application process is in place for obtaining a 60+ Oyster card, which requires applicants to present a passport, driving licence or combination of different proofs of age and address. By contrast, such a process is not required for other types of Oyster card, such as the 18+ card.
While I do take note of the concerns you have expressed regarding student identification, I am assured that research published by the Government shows that 98 per cent of electors already own a photographic document that is on the list of acceptable types of identification. In particular, I am aware that many students and young people use the PASS (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme) form of identification, which will be recognised as acceptable proof of identity. Moreover, anyone without identification will be able to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate from their local authority, meaning that no voter will be disenfranchised.
The Elections Act includes provisions to allow the list of acceptable identification to be updated through secondary legislation, in recognition that available forms of identification will change over time. For example, there are
plans for online provisional driving licences, which will be considered for inclusion if appropriate.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.