Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 55
55
Not Addressed
Routinely collect election data to properly evaluate voter ID effectiveness and usage patterns.
Recommendation
Our assessment is that the longer voter ID prevails the more it will become accepted, reducing, though not removing, the prevention and discouragement effect. It is unfortunate that data was not regularly collected at polls in Northern Ireland, in particular following the introduction of photo ID there in 2003. The Government should consider what data it is necessary to routinely collect at elections to properly evaluate the effectiveness of the voter ID requirements. This could include what forms of ID are used (preferably broken down by age group), the reasons for refusing an ID, how many people are turned away for not having ID, and how many do not return. (Conclusion, Paragraph 148)
Government Response Summary
The government's response focuses on defending its voter ID policy, announcing the acceptance of bank cards, and committing to create a digital Voter Authority Certificate and accept digital forms of existing photo ID. It does not, however, commit to considering or implementing the routine collection of specific data points to evaluate voter ID effectiveness.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
This Government was elected on a manifesto commitment to address the inconsistencies in the voter ID rules that prevent legitimate voters from participating. As set out in the Strategy, the Government is clear that significant improvements are needed to remove barriers to participation while maintaining proportionate safeguards against personation. The Electoral Commission’s report into Voter ID at the 2024 UK general election, published September 2024, showed 4% of non-voters at the 2024 General Election cited voter ID as a factor in their not turning out to vote. Evidence also consistently shows that at least 2% of people in Great Britain do not hold a form of ID on the current list and that certain groups of people are less likely to have accepted forms of ID. Extensive research was also conducted by IFF Research, who looked into the impacts of voter ID on different demographics and their propensity to vote, as published in May 2025 in the IFF evaluation of the impact and implementation of the Elections Act. It is essential to keep our democratic processes under review to ensure they are fit for purpose, which is why we previously amended the list of accepted identifications to include the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card. As set out in the Strategy for Elections, after careful review and consideration of potential changes to ensure the accessibility of the voter ID policy, we will further be amending legislation to permit the use of UK-issued bank cards as an accepted form of voter identification in Great Britain. This change will increase accessibility and ensure greater choice and flexibility for voters. Bank cards are held by the overwhelming majority of the electorate, and this change will significantly reduce the proportion of legitimate electors who are unable to meet the identification requirement. This change is particularly important to ensure those who are less likely to hold photo ID–such as electors with disabilities and younger electors–are effectively able to engage with the democratic process and have their voices heard. We recognise the additional challenges that may be faced by 16- and 17-year-old electors, and awareness raising within this demographic of the voter ID requirements and availability of the Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) will be important as votes at 16 is introduced. The Government is committed to modernising and improving ways for people to interact with government digitally and recognises the great value and convenience that the use of digital IDs can bring to the public particularly though simplified access and use. We therefore agree with the Committee’s recommendation on the use of digital IDs as voter ID and the Committee will be pleased to note that we announced in our Strategy for Elections our intention to also create a digital VAC as a further option for electors. This is alongside the clarification that, as photographic documents already on the accepted list of voter ID become available in digital form, these too will be accepted at the polling station.