Yes, We Cans campaign for photo ID voter awareness and preparedness by Brixton Brewery

Posted by Frank Wainwright

 

  • Brixton Brewery is firing up voter participation using thousands of stickers across cans and pint glasses, informative coasters about the election and even free photobooths in pubs to ensure as many people get out and vote as possible, this May
  • 11 million Brits are at risk of no vote as compulsory photo ID is introduced and one in five are unaware of the new regulations
  • Over half of people (56%) would be more likely to vote if they had a valid photo ID

Brixton Brewery is launching free-to-use photo ID booths, and thousands of informative coasters and stickers on pint glasses and cans across the UK. Their YES, WE CANS campaign will alert people to new Government rules which make it compulsory to carry photo ID when voting, which could mean those without, can’t make their voices heard.

Brixton Brewery is stepping in with its YES, WE CANS campaign after new research showed one in 10 British people do not have a photo ID, and nearly two million (20%) Londoners are unsure of the new regulations. Over 30% of Brits are not sure or disagree with the new rules of needing photo ID, despite it potentially being here to stay.

The survey of 2,000 people, carried out by 3gem, also revealed that over a quarter of people are not confident about where to either obtain or update their photo ID, with over 20% of Gen Z saying they do not know where their photo ID is! Over 67% of Gen Z would be more likely to vote if they had a valid photo ID.

Inspired by the spirit of Brixton and its people, who have always been activists and campaigners, and American campaigns like Rock the Vote, supercharging participation, the brewery has partnered with Laine Pubs to install free photo booths across Brighton and London, but these aren’t for selfies or group shots.

The free photobooths are simple, allowing people to walk in, grab a drink and be on their way to getting a valid photo ID.  After all, pubs have always been great places for debate, no matter your political opinion.

From 4th May 2023, voters will need to show valid photo identification at polling stations to vote. Figures highlight that *11 million people in the UK do not have a passport or a driving licence at all, with just under 20% admitting to being unsure on the new voting regulations.

The lack of photo ID is particularly prominent in groups including ethnic minorities, homeless people, LGBTQ+ communities and immigrants. **The government’s own data shows that white people are most likely to hold one form of photo ID – 76% hold a full driving licence. But 38% of Asian people, nearly a third of people of mixed ethnicity (31%), and nearly half of Black people (48%) do not. 25% of Black and Asian Britons were not registered to vote compared to the national average of 17%. Furthermore, nearly a quarter of trans respondents and almost one in five non-binary respondents said they did not have photo ID.

Co-Founder of Brixton Brewery Xochitl Benjamin said: “We believe every voter matters and every vote counts!  No vote is no voice and the new regulations must be more clearly communicated because our research shows people simply aren’t aware of the changes around photo ID. In the spirit of everything that makes Brixton unique, we’re stepping in to raise awareness and provide a helping hand. We want to help empower not just our local community in Brixton, but everyone, so that we’re all armed with the right information and tools to make our voices heard. It’s never been more important than now. And where’s better to have a lively political debate than over a pint at the pub?”

YES, WE CANS is available completely FREE of charge in London at the Four Thieves on Thursday 27th April and Owl & Hitchhiker on Friday 28th April as well as in Brighton at the North Laine on Tuesday 25th April and the World’s End on Wednesday 26th April.

 

 

 

Notable facts on voting this May:

  • You can still use photo ID that is out of date, but the photo needs to look like you
  • Your name must be the same one you registered with to vote
  • You do not need photo ID if you are registered for postal voting
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