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. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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, …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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 …
Government response. 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 …