Less than half of Black people think voting in local elections is important, fuelling fears that new Voter ID rules will hit marginalised groups.
A new poll found 54% of Black and minority ethnic people think voting in local elections is important or very important - compared to 73% of white people.
Poorer people were also less likely (64%) to think voting in local elections was important compared to people from wealthier backgrounds (78%), according to the research by Demos.
The cross-party thinktank said the results show those who are traditionally disengaged from the democratic process will be even less likely to vote with the extra hurdle of Voter ID.
Its research also reveals that even politically engaged people are at risk of being prevented from voting.
While 32% of those without ID don’t think voting in local elections is important, 39% still believe it is either important or very important.
The deadline to apply for a free ID document passed last week but just 85,000 out of an estimated 2.1million people without ID applied for one.
Experts warn that passports and driving licences - which will be accepted as forms of ID at polling stations - are expensive options with poorer Brits unlikely to be able to afford one.
If you can’t see the poll, click here
And Demos’ research found 8% of low income people don’t have ID compared to 3% among the entire UK population.
The new Voter ID rules will be in effect for the first time at local elections on Thursday.
The Electoral Commission said extra staff will be deployed at some polling stations to make sure voters are aware of the new rules and to help manage any long queues.
Stephen Walcott, a researcher at Demos, said: “Our polling shows that, as expected, groups traditionally marginalised from the political process are already less likely to view voting as important. The Government’s measures will further disenfranchise these groups and simply lead to more disillusionment.
“Less expected is that among those who do see voting as an important function, a significant number of them won’t be able to. The Government has somehow managed to disenfranchise people at both ends of the scale.
“The Government must rethink its Voter ID policy. We need to eliminate political exclusion and ensure the system attracts participation, rather than undermines it. As things stand May 4th could mark an historic low for political participation.”
A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokeswoman said: “It’s vital we keep our democracy secure, prevent the potential for voter fraud, and bring the rest of the UK in line with Northern Ireland which has had photo identification to vote in elections since 2003.
“That is why anyone casting their vote in person at the local elections will need to bring an accepted form of photographic identification.
“The vast majority of voters already own an accepted form of identification and a significant number of people will vote by post.
“The Government has also been working closely with local authorities and other partners to raise awareness, including a widespread public information campaign led by the Electoral Commission.”
* Follow Mirror Politics on Snapchat , Tiktok , Twitter and Facebook .
