Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Paragraph: 96
The process of carrying out elections in the UK, the ease with which members of...
Conclusion
The process of carrying out elections in the UK, the ease with which members of the electorate can cast their vote, and the trust that is shown in and by the electorate in general is an admirable and crucial tenet of our democratic process. These arrangements should be cherished and protected, and great care must be taken whenever consideration is given to altering them. Introducing a compulsory voter ID requirement risks upsetting the balance of our current electoral system, making it more difficult to vote and removing an element of the trust inherent in the current system.
Paragraph Reference:
96
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government takes its Public Sector Equality Duty seriously. We have given due regard to it throughout the planning for implementation to date and we have always been clear that we will continue to do so. An Equality Impact Assessment was carried out for this Bill and was published in July 2021. Under our proposals for introducing voter identification, everyone who is eligible to vote will continue to have the opportunity to do so. As our policy statement makes clear, the list of accepted identification has been drawn up with accessibility specifically in mind, as well as security. Eligible voters who nonetheless do not have one of the wide range of acceptable forms of photographic identification will be able to apply for a free Voter Card from their local authority. They will be able to do so at the same time as when they register to vote, so applying for Voter Cards will be easy and accessible to all voters who may need one.