See answers to previous information requests

1. I am writing to request that under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) you provide details of any awareness campaigns in place in relation to the new requirements under the Election Act 2022 to present photo ID at polling stations. In your response, please provide as much of the following detail as possible without exceeding your cost limit.
a) What is the total budget that is to be spent on awareness campaigns, ii) what is the spend up to the 28th February 2023?
No specific budget was allocated to awareness campaigns.

b) How much of the total budget is local authority funded and how much is funded by central government?
Not applicable.

c) How many days have council staff spent on the awareness campaign?
This was not recorded.

d) What assessment did you make of the number/% of residents who were unaware of the requirement to present photo ID at polling stations before your campaign started?
Assumptions were based on national data provided the Electoral Commission (EC). The EC voter ID pre-campaign survey undertaken in December 2022 found 78% of people were unaware of the new requirement to show photo ID in polling stations.

e) What target have you set for the number/% of residents who are aware of the need for Photo ID, ii) how are you measuring it and iii) what is your latest estimate of the number/% of residents who are aware of the need for photo voter ID?
No specific target was set.

f) Which, if any, groups have been identified as the most difficult to communicate the new requirements under the Election Act 2022 to?
Blind and partially sighted people
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
Older people
People experiencing homelessness
People who are registered to vote anonymously
Trans and non-binary people

Tailored resource packs were produced by the Electoral Commission for these groups and made available as part of the Council’s awareness campaign.

g) How much extra time has been set aside for training polling station staff who will be present at the local election polling stations on the 4th May 2023 on the new requirements under the Election Act 2022 to present a photo ID at polling stations?
Polling Station Staff training covered all aspects of the role and included new voter ID and accessibility requirements.

h) What additional planning have you undertaken with the local police force to ensure that polling stations staff are kept safe in the event that voters raise concerns regarding having to show photo ID?
Liaison with our allocated Single Point of Contact in the police is an important part of election planning and takes place at all polls, this was no different for May 2023 polls.

i) What guidance have you received from central government regarding the safety of polling station staff on polling day?
No guidance was received from central government regarding the safety of polling station staff on polling day.

j) How many questions or complaints from residents have you received regarding the new requirements for Voter ID under the Election Act 2022?
No specific metrics were put in place to record questions/complaints about Voter ID.