Young people suffered ‘total disenfranchisement’ when they were turned away at the recent local elections despite having the correct ID, according to a campaigning group.
Unlock Democracy says some would-be voters holding Proof of Age Standards Scheme cards were denied the right to cast a ballot even though the photo identification was an acceptable form of ID.
It says there were ‘many incidents in which the polling staff were unaware that this form of ID, which tends to be used more by young people, should be accepted’ and dismissed the new rules as ‘a form of voter suppression.’
It was the first election in Britain where voters were required to show photo identification, but according to Unlock Democracy polling station officials were ‘confused’ by the PASS which was among several forms of identification deemed acceptable by the Government.
The group said there had been many examples of young people having to prove the eligibility of the PASS cards themselves and waiting until the polling staff confirmed the information.
Other voters were turned away and were unable to cast their vote.
Unlock Democracy director Tom Brake said: ‘These reports have confirmed what we have been warning about this whole time – that these new voter ID requirements are simply a form of voter suppression.
‘The fact that so many young people have been denied their right to vote, despite carrying the correct form of ID, is nothing more than a total disenfranchisement of the youth.’
For more on voter ID check out from The MJ (£): 'The burden on returning officers and elections teams is increasing'.
