Vast majority of voters took photo ID to vote at Swindon polling stations

Following a national change in legislation, for the first time, voters were required to show an approved form of photo ID before being given their ballot paper.

Across Swindon, 37,148 electors voted at 103 polling stations on 4 May. Combined with postal voters, a total of 58,109 votes were cast across the town, meaning the turnout was 35.46 per cent for Swindon – up from 33 per cent last year.

While 419 electors were initially turned away, almost three quarters (307) returned with acceptable ID and were able to vote. This means that at the end of polling day, just 112 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.

A campaign was launched by the Council in January to share details of the voter ID requirements with residents in the run-up to the local elections. Some activity from the campaign included the use of social media, e-newsletters, printed media, engagement with local businesses, organisations and charities, an advert in the annual council tax booklet and graphics on digital screens across the town. Information about the voter ID requirement was also included on the poll card letters issued to all voters ahead of the elections.

Susie Kemp, Swindon Borough Council’s Returning Officer, said: “We ran an extensive borough-wide campaign to let residents know about the photo ID requirements in the run-up to the local elections so it’s brilliant that the vast majority of voters arrived at the polling station with an approved form of ID.

“While it is disappointing to turn any elector away, it was extremely important that we complied with the new regulations which were introduced for polls from 4 May and I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard at polling stations to support these changes.”