Transgender Voters Face Photo ID Challenges in Upcoming Elections
Trans and non-binary individuals in the UK have expressed concerns over the implementation of photo ID requirements for voting, a regulation introduced in May 2023 to prevent election fraud as per the Elections Act 2022. Voters now must present an accepted photo ID at polling stations, and if there’s “reasonable doubt” they are not who they claim to be, they risk being turned away.
Gwion Williams, 20, from Bridgend, obtained a Voter Authority Certificate because his previous ID still identifies him as female. He noted that while these certificates are theoretically free and accessible, awareness and promotion of them have been insufficient. Williams highlighted the challenges in acquiring the certificate, including the need to provide documents and verify his identity. He also criticized the certificate’s format, calling it a “printed piece of paper” that is not durable.
The UK government, acknowledging these issues, has stated that Voter Authority Certificates do not specify gender and were developed in consultation with civil society organizations, including those representing trans and non-binary individuals. Free Voter Authority Certificates serve as an alternative to the traditional photo IDs required by the new regulations.
Chief Executive of trans charity Not A Phase, Danielle St James, criticized the mandatory photo ID law, labeling it as a form of "conservative gerrymandering" that disproportionately affects marginalized groups. She also pointed out the lack of sufficient promotion for the free ID option.
The Electoral Commission has made efforts to raise awareness through integrated advertising, social media posts, and digital engagement. Since 1 March 2023, it has posted about free voter IDs 54 times across Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). In contrast, the UK government posted just three times on X since 24 April 2023 about these IDs.
According to the Conservative Party, Cabinet Office research in 2021 indicated that 98% of the electorate had some form of suitable photo identification, and there is a free option for those who do not. The party also noted that voter identification was first introduced in Northern Ireland by the Labour government in 2003 and has now been rolled out across Great Britain.
With general elections approaching, the issue remains contentious among transgender and non-binary voters who might face difficulties with identification that no longer matches their current appearance or name.