Paul Marinko 14 October 2019

Queen's Speech 19: Voter ID requirement at elections to be rolled out

The Queen’s Speech has set out the Government’s plans to require voters to show photographic ID at polling stations.

With criticism emerging that many older voters and minority ethnic citizens may not have a passport or driving licence, the Government as set out that people without an ‘approved form of ID will be able to apply, free of charge, for a local electoral identity document’.

The Electoral Reform Society (ERS) had branded the plans as ‘dangerous, misguided and undemocratic’.

The claimed the move would make it harder for millions of ordinary people to vote, as 11 million citizens do not have a passport of driving licence.

Trials across ten councils in the local elections in May saw 700 people turned away from the polls, yet there were just eight allegations of personation fraud in the UK last year.

Chief executive of the ERS, Darren Hughes, said: ‘These mooted plans risk raising the drawbridge to huge numbers of marginalised voters – including many elderly and BAME voters.

‘The Government have sat on their hands in the face of the actual threats to electoral integrity: anonymous 'dark ads', dodgy donations and disinformation. Instead of taking on the real issues, they are using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

‘Make no mistake – these plans will leave tens of thousands of legitimate voters voiceless. Ministers should focus on combating the real threats to our democracy, rather than suppressing voters’ rights.

‘This gamble with our democracy will strike many voters as US-style gerrymandering, with Britain’s tradition of trust at the ballot box abolished in one swoop. Ministers must think again.’

Nonetheless, in response to the high profile Tower Hamlets LBC case and Lord Pickles’ review,  the Government plan to push on to tighten security around voting.

The legislation will ban campaigners from handling postal votes, introduce a power to limit the number of postal votes a person is allowed to hand in, and establish a requirement on those registered for a postal vote to re-apply every three years.

It will also limit to two the number of people a voter can act as a proxy for and returning officers will be required to ‘provide equipment to support voters with sight loss and other disabilities who find it difficult to vote.

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