General Election voters warned over 'small differences' on their photo ID

People heading to vote at the polls on Thursday could be turned away - due to a "small difference" rule on their photo ID. The government has warned people using ID for verification at polling booths up and down the country on Thursday July 4 face being banned from casting their vote.

The government says: "The name on your ID must match your name on the electoral register. If it does not, you’ll need to either register to vote again with your new details or take a document with you to vote that proves you’ve changed your name (for example, a marriage certificate)

"Small differences do not matter. Small differences do not matter. For example, if your ID says ‘Jim Smith’ instead of ‘James Smith’." There are 20 acceptable forms of valid ID for you to be able to cast your vote, of which the principal ones are a passport or driving licence.

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Passports can be issued by the UK or any EU country, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. The government says you can still use your ID even if it has expired, provided that the photo still looks like you, as the Conservative Party and Labour Party battle for votes.

The government explained previously- after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the election: "If you do not have a type of photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate." About 14,000 people were turned away from polling stations at May’s local elections in England.

That was because they lacked the right ID. But the overall number denied a vote likely to be considerably higher, the official elections watchdog has said, with people warned to brush up on their knowledge around voting and the polls ahead of heading out to cast their vote on Thursday in the milestone event.