Recommendations & Conclusions
8 items
19
Conclusion
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 general…
Accepted in Part
Funding and resourcing of elections is a significant issue. Funding structures have become increasingly complex and vulnerable to wider cuts in local government spending. (Conclusion, Paragraph 72)
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges that election funding is a significant issue and describes actions to provide local authorities with greater funding certainty and access to contingency funding through a justification-led bid process in 2025/26, aiming to simplify processes.
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25
Recommendation
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 general…
Accepted in Part
At a UK general election, all candidates should be subject to the same requirements and the same system should be used throughout the electoral process. While there are historic reasons why different systems have developed and been maintained, the case for streamlining, standardising, and making the electoral system consistent is …
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At a UK general election, all candidates should be subject to the same requirements and the same system should be used throughout the electoral process. While there are historic reasons why different systems have developed and been maintained, the case for streamlining, standardising, and making the electoral system consistent is now compelling. We recommend that the Government move to create: • A single system for how counts should be conducted. • A single electoral register, with functions for local authorities to access local data to access local rates of registration. • A single or integrated digital platform and system for electoral administration. (Recommendation, Paragraph 89)
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects a single system for counts, stating it is a matter for independent Returning Officers. It commits to working towards automated registration, strengthening data provisions in law, and using non-legislative approaches to support Electoral Registration Officers in using data for registration.
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28
Recommendation
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 general…
Accepted in Part
Establishing an electoral registration system that effectively utilises public data should mean that the register is updated all year round. As part of reform to the electoral register, the Government should consider whether the requirements for the annual canvas can be removed. This could potentially save considerable administrative effort and …
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Establishing an electoral registration system that effectively utilises public data should mean that the register is updated all year round. As part of reform to the electoral register, the Government should consider whether the requirements for the annual canvas can be removed. This could potentially save considerable administrative effort and public money. (Recommendation, Paragraph 91) 68 Postal voting
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Government response AI summary
The government is working to create an automated registration system and strengthen data provisions, which aligns with the premise that could lead to removing the annual canvas. However, it does not explicitly state it will consider removing the annual canvas requirements as part of these …
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51
Recommendation
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 general…
Accepted in Part
The Government should explore whether existing data held by the Government could be used to allow those most likely to be in need of assistance to be contacted. This information should be used to better inform returning officers of the equipment that may be needed in particular polling stations. (Recommendation, …
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The Government should explore whether existing data held by the Government could be used to allow those most likely to be in need of assistance to be contacted. This information should be used to better inform returning officers of the equipment that may be needed in particular polling stations. (Recommendation, Paragraph 130) Voter ID and voter fraud
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees to explore how existing government data might be used to identify and contact voters needing assistance and to inform returning officers, acknowledging data protection considerations and stating it will consider this further.
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52
Conclusion
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 general…
Accepted in Part
We are concerned that the evidence base for the necessity and effectiveness of voter ID is simply not there. There were extremely low levels of personation prior to the introduction of voter ID, and no evidence that it was being under reported. After the introduction of voter ID, the situation …
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We are concerned that the evidence base for the necessity and effectiveness of voter ID is simply not there. There were extremely low levels of personation prior to the introduction of voter ID, and no evidence that it was being under reported. After the introduction of voter ID, the situation has not changed: there continues to be extremely low levels of personation and no evidence that it is being under reported. What has changed however is that there is clear evidence that the introduction of voter ID has been an additional barrier to voting for a considerable number of people. At the 2024 general election, 16,000 were prevented from voting and the Electoral Commission data indicates that between 770,000 and 1.9 million people were either prevented or discouraged from voting. The Government clearly state that “it is unacceptable when legitimate voters are prevented or discouraged from voting”. As such, under the Government’s own measure, this policy has an ‘unacceptable’ effect. Yet the Government have been clear that removal of the policy is off the table. (Conclusion, Paragraph 146)
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Government response AI summary
The government reaffirms its commitment to voter ID, but acknowledges accessibility issues by announcing a legislative amendment to permit the use of UK-issued bank cards as an accepted form of voter identification to increase accessibility.
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56
Recommendation
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 general…
Accepted in Part
The effect of voter ID on turnout is not simply due to people not possessing an accepted from of ID, but every effort should be made to ensure everyone has easy access to an accepted form of ID. We agree with the Electoral Commission that the current list of accepted …
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The effect of voter ID on turnout is not simply due to people not possessing an accepted from of ID, but every effort should be made to ensure everyone has easy access to an accepted form of ID. We agree with the Electoral Commission that the current list of accepted IDs needs to be kept under review. Where an additional form of ID may have a significant impact in increasing access for people and can maintain an acceptable level of security, it should be included. The Government should encourage those who supply ID, (universities, transport companies etc) to bring their IDs in line with the Pass plus requirements so they can be used. Alternatively, the Government could create a new template for IDs that would meet sufficient levels of security to be accepted. (Recommendation, Paragraph 149)
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Government response AI summary
The government confirms it keeps the list of accepted IDs under review, citing the previous inclusion of the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card and announcing the future acceptance of UK-issued bank cards, a digital Voter Authority Certificate, and digital forms of existing photo IDs to …
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57
Conclusion
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 general…
Accepted in Part
We are particularly concerned that introducing votes for 16 and 17 year olds poses an issue for a group that may not have the necessary ID. If a Bill is introduced containing provisions to change the voting age to 16, an analysis needs to be undertaken of what forms of …
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We are particularly concerned that introducing votes for 16 and 17 year olds poses an issue for a group that may not have the necessary ID. If a Bill is introduced containing provisions to change the voting age to 16, an analysis needs to be undertaken of what forms of ID people aged 16–17 are most likely to possess, and a plan set out for how the impact of the voter ID requirement on this age group will be mitigated. Consideration should be given to proactively, or even automatically, providing Voter Authenticity Certificates to people coming onto the electoral register for the first time. (Recommendation, Paragraph 150)
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Government response AI summary
The government recognizes challenges for 16-17 year olds and states awareness raising will be important. It also agrees with the use of digital IDs and plans to create a digital Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) as an option, but does not commit to analysis of existing …
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58
Recommendation
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 general…
Accepted in Part
The Voter Authenticity Certificate (VAC) system was clearly underused. The Government should look at ways of improving the VAC system. This should include improving awareness of the VAC and may include changing the format of the ID, for example to a card rather than a piece of paper. The provision …
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The Voter Authenticity Certificate (VAC) system was clearly underused. The Government should look at ways of improving the VAC system. This should include improving awareness of the VAC and may include changing the format of the ID, for example to a card rather than a piece of paper. The provision for an emergency VAC should be extended to the day of the election and additional resources allocated to deliver this. We would support the creation of a digital VAC or a digital government ID that could be used. (Recommendation, Paragraph 151)
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the use of digital IDs for voting and intends to create a digital Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) as a further option. It acknowledges the importance of awareness raising but does not commit to other improvements to the VAC system or extending …
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