Polling day has arrived for the 2019 general election, but misinformation has not stopped online.
The day of the election is often a breeding ground for false claims and conspiracy theories as broadcast news outlets stop posting political news in line with polling day restrictions.
One claim which is regularly circled as voters go to the polls is about what is required to vote. Perth and Kinross Council’s account posted information on 11 December suggesting voters required ID or a polling card.
Ferret Fact Service found this to be False.
Evidence
Confusion about what voters need to bring with them to the polling station is common, but the official information is simple.
In a now-deleted tweet reportedly from Perth and Kinross Council’s account, voters told to bring either their polling card or identification and proof of address.
This is incorrect. In Scotland, England and Wales, voters do not have to bring any form of ID or a polling card to vote. Voters in Northern Ireland are required to have some form of ID.
As long as they registered at their current address by 26 November, all voters have to do is to go to their local polling station and say their name and address. They will then be able to vote for a local candidate.
The UK government’s How To Vote website explains: “Give your name and address to the staff inside the polling station when you arrive.
“You’ll be given a ballot paper containing a list of the people, parties or options you can vote for.”
A polling card is sent to all voters at each registered address, and gives information on your polling station, but it is not required for voting.
Voting is open from 7am to 10pm today.
Ferret Fact Service verdict: False
Voters do not need to bring anything other than themselves to their local polling station to vote. Identification and proof of address is not required. You may vote at your local polling station as long as you are registered to vote in your constituency.
Ferret Fact Service (FFS) is a non-partisan fact checker, working to the International Fact-Checking Network fact-checkers’ code of principles. All the sources used in our checks are publicly available and the FFS fact-checking methodology can be viewed here. Want to suggest a fact check? Email us at factcheck@theferret.scot or join our Facebook group.
Photo thanks to iStock/bizoo_n
