Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Voter ID: Electoral Participation

Thursday 28 October 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The commission's independent evaluation of the Government's voter ID pilots found no significant effect on turnout.
  • The Cabinet Office research shows that 96% of the public hold some form of photo ID, though the proportion without ID is higher among disabled people.
  • The commission has not assessed the number of fraudulent votes voter ID could prevent, noting that reported electoral fraud levels are consistently low but vary.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Deidre Brock SNP
Democracy & Elections
Context

The question arises from concerns about the potential effects of introducing voter ID in elections.

Question

What recent assessment has the Committee made of the potential effect of the proposal in the Elections Bill to introduce voter ID on electoral participation?

Answer from Cat Smith

The commission's independent evaluation of the Government's pilots, held in 2018 and 2019, found no evidence that turnout was significantly affected by the trialled introduction of an ID requirement at polling stations. However, it was not able to draw definitive conclusions, particularly on the likely impact at a national poll with higher levels of turnout.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address whether voter ID will have any significant effect on electoral participation or accessibility for certain demographics.

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Q2 Martyn Day SNP
Democracy & Elections Standards & Ethics
Context

Inclusion Scotland reports that one in ten disabled people do not have the required voter ID, raising concerns about their ability to vote.

Question

What steps should the Government take to ensure that a million disabled people maintain their franchise and their ability to vote in coming elections?

Answer from Cat Smith

The proportion of people without ID is higher among certain demographic groups, including those with disabilities. Research published by the Cabinet Office in May 2021 found that 96% of the public held some form of photo ID that respondents thought was recognisable, including ID that had expired.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific steps for the government to ensure disabled people maintain their voting rights.

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Q3 Richard Thomson
Democracy & Elections
Context

There is a debate about whether introducing voter ID to prevent electoral fraud is necessary, given the low reported levels of such fraud.

Question

Given the scant evidence of electoral fraud by members of the public trying to cast votes to which they are not entitled, do the commissioners share my concern that attempting to introduce voter ID is an attempt to solve a problem which, in reality, simply does not exist?

Answer from Cat Smith

The commission has made no detailed assessment of the number of fraudulent votes that could be prevented as a result of the Government's proposed policy to introduce a voter ID requirement. While levels of reported electoral fraud in the UK are consistently low, they do vary.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not directly address whether the commissioners share the concern that introducing voter ID is unnecessary due to low electoral fraud.

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Q4 Deidre Brock SNP
Scotland Democracy & Elections
Context

The Elections Bill includes provisions that give the Westminster Government powers to set the Electoral Commission's strategy and policy statement, which is seen as a challenge to Scottish autonomy.

Question

Given that the Scottish Parliament also pays towards the commission, is this not another case of a grubby Westminster power grab and an attack on our devolution settlement?

Answer from Cat Smith

The Elections Bill covers the whole of the UK, but some provisions would apply differently to elections in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The commission's view is that as drafted, the proposals for a strategy and policy statement are not consistent with its role as an independent regulator.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a clear stance on whether Westminster's actions constitute a power grab or attack on devolution.

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