Councils across Nottinghamshire have confirmed how many people were turned away at the local elections for not having the correct voter ID. A new law passed in 2022 meant that for the first time, people voting in the elections earlier this month had to bring a form of photo ID along to their polling station.
Passports and driving licences could have been used, even if they were out of date, as long as the person still resembled the photo. Those without a valid form of ID were able to apply for a special certificate, though applications needed to have been made by the week before the vote.
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Following the close of polling stations at 10pm on May 4, the Electoral Commission confirmed that some people were unable to vote due to the new voter ID rules. The councils where elections took place in Nottinghamshire this year, which included the city council and all seven district and boroughs, have now confirmed how many people were affected.
The highest number of people to initially be affected was in Nottingham, where 476 people were turned away from polling stations. However, this equated to just 0.2% of the electorate and of those people, 301 later returned with an acceptable form of ID.
Mostly, the eventual number of people who were unable to vote due to voter ID was 0.1% of the electorate. Below are the figures available for all the councils.
Nottingham: 476 people initially turned away (0.2% of electorate). 301 later returned with correct ID.
Gedling: 80 people initially turned away (0.4% of electorate). 62 later returned with correct ID.
Rushcliffe: 60 people initially turned away. 34 later returned with correct ID, meaning just 0.1% of the electorate were eventually unable to vote.
Ashfield: 106 people initially turned away (0.6% of the electorate). 51 people later returned with correct ID.
Mansfield: 43 people initially turned away. 16 people later returned with correct ID.
Newark and Sherwood: 69 people initially turned away (0.2% of the electorate). 37 people later returned with correct ID.
Bassetlaw: 70 people initially turned away (0.4% of electorate). 40 people later returned with correct ID.
Broxtowe: 64 people initially turned away. 39 people later returned with correct ID.
Following the close of polls on May 4, an Electoral Commission spokesperson said: "We already know from our research that the ID requirement posed a greater challenge for some groups in society, and that some people were regrettably unable to vote today as a result. It will be essential to understand the extent of this impact, and the reasons behind it, before a final view can be taken on how the policy has worked in practice and what can be learnt for future elections.
“The Commission has already started this work. We are collecting data from polling stations about the numbers turned away and returning, and carrying out national public opinion research to collect data about voters' experiences.
"Given the fundamental role played by electoral administrators, it will also be vital that we hear from them about their experiences of the day, as well as other participants in the elections, including candidates."
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