The Voter Identification Regulations 2022

1. Introductory Text

2. PART 1 Introduction

   1. 1. Citation, commencement and saving

   2. 2. Extent

   3. 3. Interpretation

3. PART 2 Applications for electoral identity or anonymous elector’s documents

   1. 4. Identity document applications: general

   2. 5. Identity document applications made through the digital service

   3. 6. Verification of information provided in an identity document application

   4. 7. Power to request additional evidence where certain information is unavailable or where the registration officer considers it necessary

   5. 8. Registration officer’s right to inspect certain records

   6. 9. Power to require information

4. PART 3 Determination of applications

   1. 10. Postponement of determination of identity document applications

   2. 11. Determination of identity document applications

   3. 12. Notification following determination

   4. 13. Appeal following determination

   5. 14. Processing of information provided in connection with an identity document application

5. PART 4 Design, issuing, delivery, collection etc. of electoral identity documents, anonymous elector’s documents etc.

   1. CHAPTER 1 Design of documents

      1. 15. Design of electoral identity documents, anonymous elector’s documents, etc.

   2. CHAPTER 2 Issuing and delivery or collection of electoral identity documents and anonymous elector’s documents

      1. 16. Issuing of electoral identity documents and anonymous elector’s documents

      2. 17. Delivery or collection of issued electoral identity documents and anonymous elector’s documents

   3. CHAPTER 3 Issuing of temporary electoral identity documents

      1. 18. Issuing of temporary electoral identity documents

      2. 19. Temporary electoral identity documents: supplemental

   4. CHAPTER 4 Record of issued documents

      1. 20. Record of anonymous elector’s documents and electoral identity documents

      2. 21. Duties of registration officer and staff in relation to the record

      3. 22. Supply, disclosure and use of record for the purposes of relevant elections, petitions and referendums

      4. 23. Supply of the record to police forces and other organisations

      5. 24. Offence in respect of contravention of regulation 21(4) or (6), 22(2) or (3) or 23(3) or (4)

6. PART 5 Anonymous elector’s documents: reminders and replacement

   1. CHAPTER 1 Reminders

      1. 25. Reminder of the need for an anonymous elector’s document: general

      2. 26. Reminder of the need for an anonymous elector’s document: transitional provision

   2. CHAPTER 2 Replacement of anonymous elector’s documents: change of electoral number

      1. 27. Application and interpretation of Chapter 2

      2. 28. Notification as to replacement

      3. 29. Replacement of anonymous elector’s document following change of electoral number

   3. CHAPTER 3 Replacement of anonymous elector’s documents following loss etc. of document

      1. 30. Replacement of anonymous elector’s document following loss etc. of document

7. PART 6 Ballot paper refusal lists and signing sheet refusal lists

   1. 31. Ballot paper refusal list at parliamentary elections

   2. 32. Inspection etc. of the completed ballot paper refusal list or signing sheet refusal list

8. PART 7 Rule 40B of the elections rules: collection and collation of information

   1. 33. Application of rule 40B of the parliamentary election rules

   2. 34. Collection of information by the presiding officer

   3. 35. Collation of information by relevant registration officer or returning officer

9. PART 8 Amendments relating to the conduct of parliamentary elections

   1. 36. Amendment of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 1986

   2. 37. Amendment of the Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) Regulations 2004

10. PART 9 Amendment of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 and the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001

    1. 38. Amendment of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001

    2. 39. Amendment of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001

    3. 40. Amendments consequential on regulation 39

    4. 41. Amendment of the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008

11. PART 10 Amendment of conduct rules for other elections, referendums and recall petitions

    1. 42. Amendment of the Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007

    2. 43. Amendment of Schedule 1 (mayoral elections rules)

    3. 44. Amendment of Schedule 2 (modifications of Acts and statutory instruments)

    4. 45. Amendment of Schedule 3 (mayoral election combination of poll rules)

    5. 46. Amendment of the Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2012

    6. 47. Amendment of regulation 13 (combination of referendum polls: supplementary)

    7. 48. Amendment of Schedule 3 (local government act referendum rules)

    8. 49. Amendment of Schedule 4 (application, with modifications, of Acts and subordinate legislation)

    9. 50. Amendment of Schedule 5 (local government act referendum combination of polls rules)

    10. 51. Amendment of the Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Council Tax Increases) (England) Regulations 2012

    11. 52. Amendment of Schedule 3 (local government finance act referendum rules)

    12. 53. Amendment of Schedule 4 (application, with modifications, of Acts and subordinate legislation)

    13. 54. Amendment of Schedule 5 (local government finance act referendum combination of polls rules)

    14. 55. Amendment of the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012

    15. 56. Amendment of article 2 (interpretation)

    16. 57. Amendment of article 13A (combination of polls: National Assembly for Wales)

    17. 58. Amendment of article 18 (other voting offences)

    18. 59. Amendment of Schedule 2 (absent voting in PCC elections)

    19. 60. Amendment of Schedule 3 (PCC election conduct rules)

    20. 61. Amendment of Part 3 of Schedule 4 (modifications to PCC elections rules for combination of polls)

    21. 62. Amendment of Part 5 of Schedule 4 (modifications to PCC elections rules for combination of poll with the poll for an election to Senedd Cymru)

    22. 63. Amendment of the Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012

    23. 64. Amendment of Schedule 3 (neighbourhood planning referendum rules)

    24. 65. Amendment of Part 1 of Schedule 4 (application, with modification, of other Acts and subordinate legislation)

    25. 66. Amendment of Schedule 5 (neighbourhood planning referendum combination of polls rules)

    26. 67. Amendment of Schedule 6 (registering to vote in a business referendum)

    27. 68. Amendment of the 2016 Regulations

    28. 69. Amendment of regulation 2 (application)

    29. 70. Amendment of regulation 3 (interpretation)

    30. 71. Amendment of regulation 17 (appointment of petition assistants)

    31. 72. Amendment of regulation 18 (issue of official petition notice)

    32. 73. Amendment of regulation 19 (equipment at petition signing place)

    33. 74. New regulation 20A (provision of private area for production of proof of identity: England and Wales and Scotland)

    34. 75. Amendment of regulation 25 (questions to be put to persons signing the petition)

    35. 76. Amendment of regulation 27 (signing procedure: England and Wales and Scotland)

    36. 77. Amendment of regulation 29 (signing sheets endorsed by petition clerk)

    37. 78. Amendment of regulation 30 (tendered signing sheets)

    38. 79. New regulation 30A (refusal to deliver signing sheet: England and Wales and Scotland)

    39. 80. Amendment of regulation 33 (daily verification and storage)

    40. 81. Amendment of regulation 37 (procedure on close of petition)

    41. 82. Amendment of regulation 43 (sealing up of signing sheets)

    42. 83. Amendment of regulation 44 (delivery of documents to the registration officer: England and Wales and Northern Ireland)

    43. 84. Amendment of regulation 45 (orders for production of documents: England and Wales and Northern Ireland)

    44. 85. Amendment of regulation 60 (general requirements for applications for absent signing)

    45. 86. New regulation 63A (additional requirements for applications for the appointment of a proxy on grounds relating to identification: England and Wales and Scotland)

    46. 87. Amendment of regulation 69 (additional requirements: applications for an emergency proxy signature in respect of a particular petition: England and Wales and Scotland)

    47. 88. New regulation 69A (additional requirements: applications for an emergency proxy signature in respect of a particular petition on grounds relating to identification: England and Wales and Scotland)

    48. 89. Amendment of regulation 71 (closing date for applications: England and Wales and Scotland)

    49. 90. New regulation 71A (grounds relating to identification: England and Wales and Scotland)

    50. 91. Amendment of regulation 144 (forms)

    51. 92. Amendment of Schedule 2 (forms)

    52. 93. Amendment of the Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) Order 2017

    53. 94. Amendment of Schedule 1 (combined authorities mayoral election rules)

    54. 95. Amendment of Schedule 2 (modifications of Acts and statutory instrument)

    55. 96. Amendment of Schedule 3 (combined authority mayoral election combination of polls rules)

    56. 97. Amendment of the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Welsh Forms) Order 2021

12. Signature

13. 1. SCHEDULE 1

       Enabling Powers

    2. SCHEDULE 2

       Identity document applications: photograph requirements

       1. 1. A photograph included in an identity document application (“the photograph”)...

       2. 2. The photograph must be a close-up photograph of the head...

       3. 3. (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the photograph must show the...

       4. 4. The photograph must be in colour and taken against a...

       5. 5. The photograph must be— (a) in sharp focus and clear,...

       6. 6. For an application made other than via the digital service,...

       7. 7. For an application made via the digital service, the photograph...

    3. SCHEDULE 3

       Requirements for the design of anonymous elector’s documents, electoral identity documents, and temporary electoral identity documents

       1. 1. Requirements for the design of the anonymous elector’s document

       2. 2. Requirements for the design of the electoral identity document

       3. 3. Requirements for the design of the temporary electoral identity document

    4. SCHEDULE 4

       Prescribed form of ballot paper refusal list at parliamentary elections

    5. SCHEDULE 5

       Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) Regulations 2004: New Form of directions for the guidance of voters

    6. SCHEDULE 6

       New forms of official poll cards and official proxy poll cards at parliamentary elections

       1. PART 1 New forms for the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001

       2. PART 2 New forms for the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001

    7. SCHEDULE 7

       Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007: New forms

       1. PART 1 Forms for use at a mayoral election in England where the poll is not taken together with another election or referendum

       2. PART 2 Forms for use at a mayoral election in England where the poll is taken together with another election or referendum

    8. SCHEDULE 8

       Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2012: New forms

       1. PART 1 Forms for use at a referendum where the poll is not taken together with another election or referendum

       2. PART 2 Forms for use at a referendum where the poll is taken together with another election or referendum

    9. SCHEDULE 9

       Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Council Tax Increases) (England) Regulations 2012: New forms

       1. PART 1 Forms for use at a referendum where the poll is not taken together with another election or referendum

       2. PART 2 Forms for use at a referendum where the poll is taken together with another election or referendum

    10. SCHEDULE 10

        Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012: New forms

        1. PART 1 New proxy paper form

        2. PART 2 Forms for use at a PCC election

    11. SCHEDULE 11

        Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012: New forms

        1. PART 1 Forms for use at a referendum where the poll is not taken together with another election or referendum

        2. PART 2 Forms for use at a referendum where the poll is taken together with another election or referendum

    12. SCHEDULE 12

        Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016: New forms

    13. SCHEDULE 13

        Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) Order 2017: New forms

        1. PART 1 Forms for use at a mayoral election where the poll is not taken together with another election or referendum

        2. PART 2 Forms for use at a mayoral election where the poll is taken together with another election or referendum

    14. SCHEDULE 14

        Police and Crime Commissioner Elections: Welsh form of words and Welsh and English forms

        1. PART 1 New Part 2 of Schedule 1 (Welsh versions of forms of words)

        2. PART 2 New Welsh and English Forms

14. Explanatory Note