Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 general election
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 487
Published 22 July 2025
Recommendations
25
Accepted in Part
Create a single, standardised system for electoral counts, register, and administration.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
28
Accepted in Part
Consider removing annual electoral canvas requirements through an updated registration system.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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 reforms.
51
Accepted in Part
Explore using existing government data to identify voters needing assistance at polling stations.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
56
Accepted in Part
Ensure easy access to accepted voter ID by reviewing the list and encouraging new compliant IDs.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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 increase accessibility. It does not address encouraging other ID suppliers or creating new ID templates.
58
Accepted in Part
Improve the Voter Authenticity Certificate system, extend emergency provision, and create digital VAC options.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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 emergency VAC provision.
Conclusions (3)
19
Conclusion
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 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.
52
Conclusion
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 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.
57
Conclusion
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 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 ID types or a mitigation plan for this age group.