DATA released by Harlow Council has revealed the number of people who brought ID to the polling station for the local elections, which took place on 4 May.

Final data released today (12 May) shows that 99.9% of electors voting at Harlow’s polling stations brought with them valid photo ID that met the newly introduced voter ID requirements.

Figures collated from the day show that 10,062 electors voted in person at our 25 polling stations on 4 May. They also show while 24 electors were initially turned away, 15 returned with acceptable ID and were able to vote. This means 62.5% of those initially turned away returned and were issued with a ballot paper. At the end of polling day, 9 electors who tried to vote in a polling station were not given a ballot paper because they did not meet the new voter ID requirements. The final figures are less than what was originally announced on the night of the election. Early indications had given a figure of 12 electors not being able to vote. Final data has revealed that the figure was less.

Voting turnout, including postal votes, from a total electorate of 64,158, was 16,083 or 25.19%.

Harlow Council Chief Executive, Andrew Bramidge, said: “I want to thank our polling station staff, who worked so hard not just in helping to ensure a smooth election process, but also in supporting the biggest change to the way we vote in decades. I also want to thank to all the election agents and candidates in this regard.

“I am pleased that we had an extremely low number of people who were unable to vote due to not having the appropriate ID; whilst it is of course disappointing to have to turn anyone away we do have to comply with the regulations, and it was good to see that the extensive local promotion we carried out helped to raise awareness of the changes.

“Raising awareness of the need for voter ID is something that we will continue to work on throughout the coming year as next year will be a bigger operation with every seat in every ward up for election and it is likely that there will also be a general election in 2024.

“I also want to remind voters who need to obtain a valid form of ID that they can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, either online, by post or in person. More information on this can be found at https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate”

The Electoral Commission is collecting data from all local authorities across England who held elections on 4 May. It will publish an initial assessment of the voter ID requirement in June and a full evaluation of the local elections in autumn.

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