Summary
The Elections Act 2022 made significant changes to electoral law including requiring photo ID to vote at polling stations, reforming postal and proxy voting, changing the role of the Electoral Commission, and extending the franchise to overseas voters without time limits. It responded to concerns about electoral integrity and modernisation.
Key Points
- Introduces requirement to show approved photo ID to vote at polling station (Part 1)
- Creates free Voter Authority Certificate for those without ID
- Reforms postal voting: application refresh requirements and handling rules (Part 1)
- Changes proxy voting rules: limits number of electors one person may act as proxy for
- Removes 15-year limit on overseas voters' eligibility (Part 1)
- Introduces government strategy statements for Electoral Commission (Part 3)