The electoral registration system, which governs local elections in England and UK general elections, is ‘neither effective nor efficient’ and is leaving millions disenfranchised, MPs warn.
The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee estimates that up to eight million people face being disenfranchised by the ‘Victorian era’ electoral system and the voter ID reforms.
The committee’s report found that young people, renters, ethnic minorities, and those in lower socio-economic groups are ‘significantly less likely to be registered to vote’.
It also found cases where disabled people were not registered because some local authorities failed to properly take into account their communication needs.
The voter ID reforms, brought in ahead of the local elections in May 2023, mean that voters must present some form of identification in order to vote.
A survey by the Electoral Commission found that 4% - or 740,000 - people did not vote in the last local elections because of the requirement.
The LUHC committee said that the list of photo IDs accepted at polls was too limited and discouraged eligible voters.
A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) said that 99.75% of English voters cast their vote successfully last May. They also added that councils can provide free identification certificates if required.
LUHC committee chair Clive Betts said: ‘Our voter registration system is creaking. Recent changes such as voter ID have been tacked onto a Victorian era system which is failing voters, political parties, and election officials.
‘We need a major review of our election arrangements to boost voter registration and to ensure our elections are seen as credible and legitimate. It is a major and fundamental defect in our democratic system that many millions of UK citizens face being unable to make their voice heard at election time.’
