William Eichler 12 December 2022

Council chiefs call for voter ID laws to be delayed

Council chiefs call for voter ID laws to be delayed  image
Image: Daniel Heighton / Shutterstock.com.

Local authority leaders have called on the Government to delay the introduction of voter ID requirements until after the local elections in May.

Ahead of a vote in Parliament this week on government plans to introduce voter ID for the May 2023 elections, Cllr James Jamieson, chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA), warned that there was ‘insufficient time’ for councils to prepare for the change.

‘While we accept that voter ID has now been legislated for, electoral administrators and returning officers should be given the appropriate time, resource, clarity and detailed guidance to implement any changes to the electoral process without risking access to the vote,’ he said.

Citing the Gould Principle, which holds that electoral law should not be changed within six months of an election, Cllr Jamieson said that the new law would have a number of implications for local authorities.

‘The new voter ID requirements would have a number of implications for councils, such as a review of polling stations, and where necessary finding new venues in time for May’s elections,’ he said.

‘We also have concerns over the readiness of new IT systems, being able to properly test these and ensure staff receive training.

‘In addition, new voter ID requirements will require comprehensive local awareness campaigns, which councils need to be adequately funded for to tailor awareness raising efforts with the needs of their local population.

‘Therefore, it is sensible for the introduction of voter ID to be delayed until after May’s elections. In the meantime, we want to work with government to ensure elections are a ‘no fail’ service and that councils are given the right amount of time and resource to implement any changes.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Strategic Director, Corporate Services

City of Bradford MDC
c£162,000 per annum, more for an exceptional candidate
Bradford is at an extraordinary moment of transformation Bradford, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: City of Bradford MDC

Director of Human Resources

City of Bradford MDC
£119,466 - £131,207
Bradford is at an extraordinary moment of transformation Bradford, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: City of Bradford MDC

Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer)

North Kesteven District Council
£109,668 – £117,623
Create the conditions for long-term prosperity
Recuriter: North Kesteven District Council

Director of Libraries, Sport and Physical Activity & Communities

Glasgow Life
£102,894.01 - £116,854.38 per year
Our teams focus on making a real difference through culture and sport in Glasgow. Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recuriter: Glasgow Life
Linkedin Banner