Voter ID data released

We've published data that shows the number of people who brought ID to our polling stations for the local elections on 4 May.

The data shows that 99.1% of electors voting in our borough brought the correct photo ID to polling stations. This was to comply with new voter ID requirements introduced by the government.

24,468 electors voted at our 70 polling stations on 4 May. We received another 15,460 postal votes that were not subject to voter ID requirements. 

At the end of polling day, 27 electors who tried to vote in a polling station weren't given a ballot paper because they didn't meet new voter ID requirements. This represents 0.1% of electors who went to vote at a polling station in our borough.

Ahead of the local elections, we worked hard to inform residents of changes to the way they would be voting. We supported The Electoral Commission's national campaign with a local Voter ID campaign. This included:

• mailings to 61,000 households
• a three-month social media campaign
• poster placement
• 11 roadshow events across the borough
• responding to radio and online interview requests

Our Returning Officer, Tom Horwood, said:
 "I'm grateful to polling staff for managing this big change to the way we vote so successfully.

"We had to follow the new regulations introduced at the local elections on 4 May and are disappointed for any elector we had to turn away.

"Most people who turned up at a polling station brought acceptable ID and were able to vote."

We will continue raising awareness of the need for photo ID at all future elections.

If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID

You can still get a free Voter Authority Certificate by:

• applying online for the certificate
• filling out a paper application form and posting back to us at:
  Electoral Services
  Millmead House
  Millmead
  Guildford
  Surrey
  GU2 4BB
• filling out a form in person at the address above