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Voter ID: One in four unaware they need ID to vote in May elections Voter ID checks could overwhelm election staff, councils warn
(about 2 hours later)
Almost a quarter of people still do not know that photo ID is required to vote in the upcoming local elections, the Electoral Commission has said. Staff overseeing May's local elections could be "overwhelmed" as they deal with the introduction of compulsory voter ID, councils have warned.
For the first time, everyone voting in person in English local elections on 4 May will need to show identification.For the first time, everyone voting in person in English local elections on 4 May will need to show identification.
Craig Westwood, from the Electoral Commission, said it was focused on how the new system "can be delivered well". The Electoral Commission said there had been extensive planning to get councils ready for the challenge.
But local councils have warned that election staff could be "overwhelmed" dealing with the new rules. Critics say the changes are unnecessary and will damage democracy by making it harder for some to vote.
The Local Government Association (LGA) - which represents local authorities - said the practical difficulties faced by councils to bring about these rule changes "should not be underestimated". Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the ID checks will ensure elections are "high-integrity processes", despite no evidence of large-scale electoral fraud in the UK.
The new rules mean that voters need to take photo ID to get their ballot papers in local elections in England, police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales, and UK parliamentary elections. Since 2018, there have been nine convictions and six police cautions issued in connection with cases of electoral fraud, according to the Electoral Commission.
However, it is thought more than one million of eligible voters do not currently have accepted forms of photo proof. The Local Government Association (LGA) - which represents local authorities - said the practical difficulties faced by councils enforcing ID checks "should not be underestimated".
For people who do not have the right photo ID they can apply for a free voter ID document - a "voter authority certificate" - from their local council. The Conservative leader of Essex County Council, Kevin Bentley, said local authorities "remain concerned about the potential for electoral staff to be overwhelmed with enquiries and voter authority certificate applications, now polling cards have been issued".
The deadline to register for one of these is 25 April - but government data shows just 60,368 people have applied since the scheme was launched. Mr Bentley also said polling station staff might have to deal with abuse from voters who did not bring ID, telling the BBC "that could possibly happen".
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, Mr Westwood said that voters often "respond late" ahead of elections and "we always see a very significant spike in the days leading up to the deadline". He did not rule out calling on the UK government to scrap voter ID checks at the general election, due next year, if there are widespread problems on 4 May.
The communications director said the Electoral Commission had been running a campaign since January to make sure people were aware of this change. "If that were the case we would have that honest conversation", he said.
"The awareness in the public has gone up from 22% to 76% over that period and that's still with a month to go," he added.
Why do you now need photo ID to vote?Why do you now need photo ID to vote?
What to expect from May's local elections in EnglandWhat to expect from May's local elections in England
How do I register to vote and what is the deadline?How do I register to vote and what is the deadline?
Mr Westwood said "people understand" the new photo ID rules, adding that applications for the free voter authority certificate were increasing "day by day". With the local elections now less than three weeks away, new research from the Electoral Commission shows that almost a quarter of people it surveyed still did not know that photo ID was required to vote.
Craig Westwood, from the Electoral Commission, said that voters often "respond late" ahead of elections and "we always see a very significant spike in the days leading up to the deadline".
The communications director said the Commission had been running a campaign since January to make sure people were aware of this change.
"The awareness in the public has gone up from 22% to 76% over that period and that's still with a month to go," he added.
Awareness drive
The new rules mean that voters need to take photo ID to get their ballot papers in local elections in England, police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales, and UK parliamentary elections.
However, it is thought more than one million eligible voters do not currently have accepted forms of photo proof.
People who do not have the right photo ID can apply for a free voter ID document - a "voter authority certificate" - from their local council.
The deadline to register for one of these is 25 April - but government data shows just 60,368 people have applied since the scheme was launched.
Mr Westwood said "people understand" the new photo ID rules, adding that applications for the voter authority certificate were increasing "day by day".
He also said there would be more staff at polling stations during the local elections in May.He also said there would be more staff at polling stations during the local elections in May.
Officials, who will be called "greeters", will be positioned outside polling stations to "make sure that people are definitely aware of the ID requirement", he added. Officials, who will be called "greeters", will be positioned outside some polling stations to "make sure that people are definitely aware of the ID requirement", he added.
Mr Westwood said there were "very, very low levels of proven electoral fraud". Head of the Electoral Reform Society Darren Hughes raised concerns about people being turned away from polling stations for having no ID or an ineligible version.
"So people should feel confident about polling station voting in this country, but what we know from our public opinion surveys is that a lot of people don't," he told the BBC.
The head of the Electoral Reform Society, Darren Hughes, raised concerns about people being turned away from polling stations for having no ID or an ineligible version.
"One person being turned away is going to be far too many, given that we don't have this problem of people pretending to be someone else," he said."One person being turned away is going to be far too many, given that we don't have this problem of people pretending to be someone else," he said.
Mr Hughes also said the awareness of this new law was "worryingly low" and could lead to polling station officials being faced with voters "who are quite confused". Mr Hughes also said awareness of this new law was "worryingly low" and could lead to polling station officials being faced with voters "who are quite confused".
Watch: Ione Wells explains the new rules for voting in England, in a minuteWatch: Ione Wells explains the new rules for voting in England, in a minute
Watch: Ione Wells explains the new rules for voting in England, in a minuteWatch: Ione Wells explains the new rules for voting in England, in a minute
There are 22 forms of accepted ID that can be used in polling stations including passports, driving licences and blue badges - as well as the free voter ID certificate.There are 22 forms of accepted ID that can be used in polling stations including passports, driving licences and blue badges - as well as the free voter ID certificate.
From October the compulsory voter ID rules will also apply to any future general elections. Photo ID is not required for postal votes.From October the compulsory voter ID rules will also apply to any future general elections. Photo ID is not required for postal votes.
In Northern Ireland - where photo ID is already required - 11 council elections are being held on 18 May. There are no local elections in Wales and Scotland in May.In Northern Ireland - where photo ID is already required - 11 council elections are being held on 18 May. There are no local elections in Wales and Scotland in May.
Voters in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be required to show ID at the next general election, widely expected in 2024.Voters in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be required to show ID at the next general election, widely expected in 2024.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Electoral CommissionElectoral Commission
England local elections 2023England local elections 2023
Local governmentLocal government