Large Numbers of Brits are Misinformed About Voter ID and It Could See Them Blocked from the Ballot Box – Exclusive Poll

Labour voters are most likely to fall victim to polling card misconception, as well as younger voters, in a warning sign for Sir Keir Starmer, writes Josiah Mortimer, Byline Times' Chief Reporter.

Catch up on our latest Byline TV coverage at the mid point of the General Election campaign, as Peter Jukes, Hardeep Matharu and Adam Bienkov discuss: ‘Are the Conservatives Imploding’

A common misconception among UK voters could see thousands blocked from having their say on 4 July, exclusive new polling for Byline Times reveals.

The survey, conducted by independent polling firm WeThink for this outlet, reveals that more than four in ten - 44% - of adults in Britain believe that presenting a polling card alone would be sufficient to cast their vote under the UK's new voter ID rules. 

If they didn't bring an accepted form of photo ID, this would see them turned away on polling day. 

The poll also highlights a generational divide in voter awareness. Among those under the age of 40, the majority - 62% - wrongly assume that a polling card will suffice, compared to just 32% of those aged 40 and above. The disparity suggests that younger voters, many of whom may be participating in their first election, are particularly vulnerable to this misconception and most at risk of being turned away on the day. 

Labour voters appear most at risk of being turned away over the polling card issue. While 29% of Conservative voters wrongly believe a polling card is sufficient ID to vote, that rises to a majority - 52% - of Labour voters. Labour officials have been pushing postal votes in recent weeks, potentially to skirt around any ID issues.

As the election draws closer, political parties and election officials are scrambling to educate the public about the necessary identification documents. The Electoral Commission is spending large sums on social media ads alerting people to the photo ID requirements, the first time they have been imposed in a General Election. 

The poll also delved into other key aspects of the upcoming election, including voter trust in political parties and the likelihood of tactical voting. 

When asked which party they trusted more to protect democracy in the UK, 36% of respondents chose the Labour Party, while only 17% opted for the Conservatives. 

Tactical voting, the strategy where voters support a candidate they wouldn't typically back as "the lesser of two evils" in order to prevent a candidate they dislike being elected, appears to be surging this election too. 

The poll finds that 36% of respondents would consider voting for a party other than their first choice to prevent another party from winning in their constituency. This trend was particularly prominent among Liberal Democrat (50%) and Green Party (53%) supporters. The figure is lower - 42% - for Reform UK supporters, who might otherwise be seen as "tactical" Conservative voters. 

Other key findings:

• 82% of Brits are aware of the requirement to provide a valid form of photo ID in order to vote in the upcoming general election - but 10% are still unaware

• The majority of Brits (87%) believe they possess a valid form of photo ID that would allow them to vote in the election - but 6% don't, and 3% more are unsure

• 27% of Brits planning to vote on July 4th say this will be their first time voting. There are signs of a youth surge as younger respondents (under 40) are more likely to be voting for the first time (42%) compared to older age groups (17% for those 40 and over).

The full list of acceptable IDs is published here.