Voter ID: Experts warn voter ID plans will undermine the right to vote

The Electoral Reform Society has warned that the government’s plans for mandatory voter ID will ‘undermine the right to vote as the government prepares to unveil new legislation requiring ID at polling stations.

The plans, which are set to be included in the government’s upcoming Elections Bill, would require voters at polling stations to produce photo ID before being able to vote and could see millions turned away for lacking the required identification.

A new briefing [1] by the Electoral Reform Society highlights the government’s own figures that suggest roughly 2.1 million people could be unable to vote in a general election due to not having recognisable photo ID. Over half (56%) of those surveyed without ID would be unlikely or very unlikely to apply for a free elector card to allow them to cast a ballot. The ERS’ briefing coincides with the anniversary of the 1928 Equal Franchise Act on 2^nd July.

Requiring photo ID has the potential to discriminate against already marginalised groups with new research published last week by the Electoral Commission finding more disadvantaged groups are more likely to not have ID, including the unemployed (11%), those renting from a local authority (13%) or housing association (12%), as well as disabled people (8%) [2].

The ERS warns that the lack of universal possession of ID means the measure, which the government claims would improve the integrity of elections could instead undermine the right to vote across the UK.

Despite government talking up the risk of voter fraud, the Electoral Commission figures show that public confidence in the running of elections is at its highest level since data collection began in 2012 [2].

The watchdog’s latest findings show that alleged voter fraud is far down voters’ list of worries, with just 20% of people believing it to be a problem in the UK.

The ERS says the figures discredit government arguments that voters need this mandatory ID imposed to boost confidence in democracy and accused the government of fearmongering over electoral fraud by pushing ahead with the plans that could see millions shut out from the ballot box.

Dr Jess Garland, Director of Policy and Research, Electoral Reform Society said:
“The evidence just doesn’t stack up when it comes to the government’s case for compulsory voter ID. It’s an expensive distraction that could undermine the right to vote for millions.

“Trust in our democratic system is vital – which is why ministerial scaremongering about fraud is especially dangerous. With public confidence and satisfaction with our elections at an all-time high, the government is simply stoking up fears with these divisive plans.

“Mandatory voter ID poses an unprecedented risk to democratic access and equality. Millions lack the required forms of identification and could see themselves shut out from the ballot box if these proposals are introduced.

“Ministers must now think again on these dangerous proposals and focus on combating the real threats to our democracy – rather than restricting the right to vote.”

The costs of introducing such a scheme nationally are estimated to be up to £20m per general election [3].

The ERS has relaunched its petition to scrap the plans [4] and last month a major coalition of 18 leading civil society groups, charities and academics joined the ERS in opposing mandatory ID plans – including Stonewall, Liberty, Operation Black Vote, NUS and Silver Voices – calling for the plans to be dropped [5]. The plans have also attracted cross-party opposition, including from senior Conservative David Davis MP.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

[1] New briefing available here: https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ERS-position-on-voter-ID-July-2021.pdf

[2] https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/who-we-are-and-what-we-do/our-views-and-research/our-research/public-attitudes

[3] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/733128/Electoral_Integrity_Project_-_Local_Elections_2018_-_Evaluation.pdf

[4] https://action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/35710/petition/1?locale=en-GB

[5] Voter ID: 18 leading civil society groups unite to call for dangerous plans to be dropped‘https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/voter-id-17-leading-civil-society-groups-unite-to-call-for-dangerous-plans-to-be-dropped