Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Voter ID: Election Turnout

Monday 22 January 2024 · 3 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Fourteen thousand voters were unable to vote due to lack of photo ID at the May 2023 local elections.
  • France, Germany, Austria and Canada also have voter ID requirements.
  • The identification must have a hologram for validity.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP noted that the May 2023 local elections saw significant numbers of voters turned away for lacking photo ID, raising concerns about disenfranchisement.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the impact of voter identification requirements on election turnout? Fourteen thousand voters were unable to vote due to lack of photo ID at the May 2023 local elections. Local councils are understaffed and underfunded, unable to ensure everyone has proper identification.

Answer from Simon Hoare

In May 2023 elections, 99.75% of voters successfully cast their vote. France, Germany, Austria and Canada also have voter ID requirements. A full list of accepted IDs is provided by councils. Free voter certificates are available for those without the necessary ID.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address how to prevent disenfranchisement in future general elections specifically mentioned by the MP.

How: Changing Subject To International Comparisons, Discussing Free Voter Certificates

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Q2 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP highlighted that travel cards for older people are accepted as ID but not the equivalent for young people, suggesting discrimination and political motives.

Question

The Government's voter ID requirements, allowing travel cards for seniors but excluding similar IDs for younger citizens, are unfair. Analysis by the Electoral Commission found 14,000 voters were unable to vote due to ID rules in local elections. Concerns exist about a potential impact on general election turnout.

Answer from Simon Hoare

I disagree with Mr Rees-Mogg and will not take political opportunism lessons from the SNP. The identification must have a hologram for validity.

Not addressed: Did not address whether he agrees with Jacob Rees-Mogg's comment about gerrymandering backfiring.

How: Attacking The Questioner, Changing Subject To Technical Id Requirements

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Q3 Anum Qaisar
Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP questioned the fairness of voter ID rules that allowed travel cards for seniors but not young people, citing Electoral Commission data showing 14,000 voters were turned away.

Question

Analysis by the Electoral Commission found 14,000 voters could not vote due to ID requirements in local elections. Concerns exist about a potential impact on general election turnout with younger voters less aware of requirements. Does the Minister agree that insisting on voter ID for elections may backfire?

Answer from Simon Hoare

I do not agree, and I will not take political opportunism lessons from the SNP. The identification must have a hologram for validity.

Not addressed: Did not address agreement with Jacob Rees-Mogg's comment about gerrymandering backfiring.

How: Attacking The Questioner, Changing Subject To Technical Id Requirements

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