Ipsos polling highlights some public confusion about new voter ID rules

The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) has published exclusive polling data from Ipsos on UK attitudes and understanding of local elections, the work of councillors and role of local government, ahead of the local elections on May 4, where, for the first time, it will be compulsory to show a form of photo ID at the polling station

According to the new Ipsos research, there remains some confusion over the type of ID accepted at polling stations. Of those registered in areas where there are elections, 85% of adults aged 18-75 are most likely to bring a correct form of photo ID to vote: 55% are most likely to bring a driving licence and 27% most likely to bring a passport. 

However, the polling suggests voters are confused over what other forms of ID will be accepted: more than a third of English adults incorrectly think a student card will be accepted (37%); 30% incorrectly think their poll card will be accepted (rising to 42% of 18-34 year olds and half of ethnic minorities); Nearly a quarter incorrectly think a council tax bill will be accepted (23%) and 19% incorrectly think the same of a utility bill. 12% of voters are ‘most likely’ to bring some form of ID that wouldn’t be allowed. Conversely, only 22% of adults correctly believe a Blue Badge would be accepted. 

41% of respondents had heard not very much or nothing at all about new voter ID requirements being introduced for the upcoming local elections in England. Despite the confusion, overall, half (49%) of English adults support voters needing photographic ID to vote in future elections in the UK and a quarter (26%) are opposed.

The annual survey also delves into voters’ attitudes and understanding of local government. More than half of respondents consider local councils to have the most impact on the quality of life in local areas (56%), far above the Westminster Parliament (13%). However, a good majority of respondents lacked knowledge and awareness about how councils work and what councillors actually do with 61% of respondents saying they know not very much or nothing at all about the work of their local councillors.

Local councillors (46%) and local council (49%) were trusted more to work in the best interests of people in local areas than the UK government (32%) or local MPs (42%). However trust fell behind that of other non-political players: more trusted are police (59%), local community groups (69%) and local businesses (70%).

Ipsos Research Director, Keiran Pedley, said of the research:

These findings show that the public are more likely to support the changes than oppose them. However, with polling day around the corner, there is still clearly some confusion about which forms of ID will be accepted to allow people to vote. Just over one in ten say they are most likely to produce ID that is ineligible at the polling station. Although it should be stressed that this does not mean individuals will have no valid ID on them, so the potential impact on people’s ability to vote is as yet unclear.

Technical note

Ipsos interviewed a representative quota sample of 1,859 adults aged 18-75 in England. Interviews took place on the online Omnibus between 7th and 10th April 2023. The data has been weighted to the known offline population proportions for age and working status within gender, and for region, social grade and education, to reflect the adult population of England. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.