Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

Voter ID May 2023 Elections 2023-03-09

2023-03-09

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TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Munira Wilson Lib Dem
Twickenham
▸ Context
The new voter ID regulations are causing concerns about the number of voters being turned away at polling stations.
Whether the committee has had discussions with the Electoral Commission on whether it plans to make an estimate of the number of voters turned away at polling stations for not having acceptable ID on 4 May 2023.
Cat Smith
The Speaker's Committee has not had discussions with the Electoral Commission on this matter. The commission will publish a full report covering how the new voter ID requirement was implemented, collecting data from every local authority that held elections about voters who did not bring an accepted form of ID to the polling station and were unable to vote.
▸ Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not provide a direct estimate or plan by the Electoral Commission to measure voter turnout impacted by lack of acceptable ID.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Jeff Smith Lab
Manchester Withington
▸ Context
There are concerns about the accuracy and comprehensiveness of data collected by the Electoral Commission regarding voters turned away due to lack of acceptable ID.
How can the Electoral Commission collect data on voters who turn away before they even get into the polling station?
Cat Smith
The commission identified that as a potential issue and will undertake public opinion research on the reasons why people did or did not vote in the elections. However, polling station staff cannot collect data from those who do not go into the polling station.
▸ Assessment & feedback
The answerer provided information about future plans but did not specify current methods for collecting data on voters turned away before entering polling stations.
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Munira Wilson Lib Dem
Twickenham
▸ Context
Concerns about the impact of new voter ID regulations on democracy and potential challenges to election results.
Does the hon. Lady agree that the plans should be halted for the May elections and scrapped altogether?
Cat Smith
The issue of elections being challenged would be a matter for the courts, not the commission. The commission is doing everything possible to ensure polls are delivered successfully to the highest standard. There remains an established petition process to challenge election results under certain circumstances.
▸ Assessment & feedback
The hon. Lady did not directly address whether she agrees with halting or scrapping voter ID regulations.
Response accuracy