Around 14,000 people were unable to vote in England's local elections due to a lack of acceptable photo ID, according to a study by the Electoral Commission which examined the ramifications of the new voter identification rules brought in by the government.
The May elections marked the first occasion in Great Britain where voters were required to present ID before collecting their ballot paper at polling stations. Acceptable forms of ID included passports, driving licences, blue badges, and free certificates that could be obtained prior to the vote.
Craig Westwood, director of communications at the independent body overseeing elections, raised concerns about the evidence suggesting that disabled and unemployed individuals were more likely to cite ID-related issues as a reason for not voting. Westwood said there was 'concerning' evidence to suggest that disabled and unemployed people were 'more likely than other groups to give a reason related to ID for not voting'.
The Electoral Commission called for further work to ensure that elections remain accessible to all. The voter ID policy will be expanded to cover UK general elections from autumn, potentially making it a requirement for the next Westminster election anticipated in 2024.
Criticism of the voter ID policy has been voiced by former cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg, who implied that it was an unsuccessful attempt at "gerrymandering" by the Tories. Research conducted by the Electoral Commission indicated that 0.7% of people were initially turned away from polling stations in May, but around two-thirds of them returned later in the day and were able to cast their votes.
Approximately 14,000 voters, representing 0.25% of those who went to polling stations, were unable to vote due to their inability to show ID. Among those turned away, 70% had not brought any form of ID, while 30% possessed an ID type that was not accepted. The commission's analysis revealed a high level of awareness regarding the requirement for photo identification, with over half of people being aware of the availability of free IDs in the form of government-issued voter authority certificates.
Although close to 90,000 individuals applied for a voter authority certificate before the deadline, only 25,000 were utilized as a form of ID on the day of the elections. Mr Westwood acknowledged that while the majority of voters were able to present an accepted form of ID, it was necessary to understand the challenges faced by those who lacked ID and make recommendations to support the participation of all voters.
The Electoral Commission will release its complete election report in September. Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner called for a comprehensive review of the policy, considering it a "barrier to voting." Liberal Democrats' local government spokeswoman Helen Morgan MP described the situation as an "outrage," alleging a Conservative attempt at voter suppression.
Dr Jess Garland, policy director at the Electoral Reform Society, urged the government to abandon the "ill-thought-through and unnecessary scheme" to prevent similar incidents in the next general election.
A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities emphasised the importance of upholding secure democracy, preventing potential voter fraud, and aligning the UK with Northern Ireland, where photo identification has been required since 2003.
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