Key Facts

• The Cabinet Office’s research shows 99% of people from ethnic minority backgrounds have an accepted form of identification.
• Voter ID cards are mainly about photographic identification and only those without existing documents need a voter card.
• There is no plan to introduce identity cards as the coalition government scrapped Labour's plan in 2010.
• Amendment 24 proposes centralising control of electoral identity documents under the Electoral Commission.
• The amendment aims for consistency and efficiency in delivering voter ID across different local authorities.
• Costs associated with implementing voter ID are estimated at £120 million.
• Local councils have lost 60p out of every £1 provided by the Government since 2010.
• Councils need surge capacity to handle last-minute applications for voter ID cards.
• The Electoral Commission in Northern Ireland required an additional 70 staff during election periods.
• Young people will demand voter ID cards throughout the year, especially near elections.
• Local authorities are already burdened with other duties like enfranchising overseas voters and boundary commission changes.
• Amendment 24 would transfer responsibility for voter ID administration to the Electoral Commission.
• The minister argues that the Electoral Commission lacks administrative capacity.
• Proposed amendment 25 aims to allow applications at multiple locations including libraries, GP surgeries, local government offices, and MPs' constituency offices.
• The amendment aims to make electoral ID cards more accessible.
• Local authorities are concerned about the additional burden of administering photo ID cards alongside other responsibilities like registering overseas electors.
• There is a need for consistency in administering voter IDs across different local government structures and powers.
• Amendment 25 would require registration officers to specify locations for voter ID applications.
• Registration officers should have flexibility and local knowledge to choose suitable locations.
• The government will work closely with stakeholders to develop details about voter cards and anonymous elector documents.
• Passport validity is currently 10 years, used as a comparison for voter card renewal periods.
• Voter ID requirements are under scrutiny for their impact on marginalized groups.
• Stonewall is concerned that voter ID proposals could disenfranchise LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Northern Ireland does not have a limit on the age of expired photo IDs for voting.
• Amendments 32 and 41 propose voter cards and anonymous elector documents valid for 15 years from issue.
• Driving licences and passports are typically renewed every 10 years.
• The Government will consider the most appropriate time before expiry in secondary legislation.
• Amendment 42 would place a legal obligation on creating an online application system for voter IDs.
• The amendment aims to prevent private companies from participating in voter ID card production and administration.
• Private sector currently prints documents, ballot papers, poll cards, manufactures election equipment like ballot boxes and polling booths for elections.
• Opposition claims the amendment is ideologically driven and represents nationalisation through the back door.
• The Minister rejects the idea that private companies involved in producing voter cards could repeat past scandals like the PPE scandal.
• GPs are private contractors, illustrating a distinction between public and private sector roles.
• The Carillion argument is deemed 'specious' by the Minister, highlighting past failures in both sectors without justifying a blanket move to the public sector.
• Private companies can offer expertise or capabilities that do not currently exist in the public sector.
• Amendment 44 would require a public consultation period of at least 28 days for any regulations made under proposed new sections 13BD or 13BE.
• The powers in these sections are related to setting out the form and processes for voter cards and anonymous elector documents.
• Regulations will be subject to consultation with the Electoral Commission and parliamentary scrutiny.
• The amendment would require a significant mandatory time delay in making regulations.
• The minister supports working closely with organisations during development stages of the measures.
• The minister refers to previous responses to similar questions asked previously.
• Personation is rare and an attestation requirement acts as another barrier.
• Requiring ID can be prescriptive and discriminatory against those lacking formal identification.
• Attestations allow polling clerks to conduct further checks.
• Amendment 45 would allow voters without specified ID to attest for others.
• Amendment 46 would permit a ballot paper issue if a voter signs an affidavit confirming their identity.
• The minister argues that photographic identification is necessary to prevent personation fraud and maintain election integrity.
• The Bill aims to prevent votes from being taken by others.
• Someone without photographic ID can cast a provisional ballot but may face delays in getting their vote counted.
• An amendment would introduce a new concept of provisional voting, which could undermine public confidence in election outcomes.
• Amendment 48 would require a woman presiding officer or clerk to confirm privately the identity of a covered voter.
• The Minister considers it impractical to introduce such strict requirements in primary legislation.
• Initial discussions with electoral administrators indicate a significantly higher presence of female staff than male at polling stations.
• The amendment would allow additional forms of photographic identification for voting.
• The current list of acceptable ID documents in the Bill includes several types of cards following a detailed assessment.
• There are provisions to update the list of acceptable identification through secondary legislation, such as considering online provisional driving licences.
• Amendments to include National Railcard and Young Scot National Entitlement Card were proposed.
• The Committee divided with Ayes 6 and Noes 9 for each amendment.
• Further consideration was ordered to be adjourned till Tuesday 19 October.