Councillors hit out at voter ID rules that will disenfranchise York’s voters

York’s Liberal Democrat councillors are seeking to debate the impact of new rules that will see voters be required to show an approved form of photographic identification at polling stations in May’s local elections.

In a motion, set to be discussed at a meeting of Full Council on the 15^th December, councillors are hitting out at the impact that the new rules could have, branding it “taxpayer funded disenfranchisement”.

The Liberal Democrat motion notes that:

• There were only four convictions resulting from the allegations of in-person voter fraud during the 2019 General Election.
• Electoral Commission research has found that about 7.5% of the electorate do not have access to any form of photo ID.
• Over 1,100 people were denied a vote in local elections during the 2018 and 2019 Voter ID pilots.

Whilst work is underway locally to prepare for the changes, there has been very little information and support available, with secondary legislation on local electoral identity documents still outstanding. Serious concerns remain over the additional strain on staff and resources that the preparation for the introduction of these changes will place on already overstretched local services.

The motion will seek to convey the Council’s strong condemnation of the new rules, and request that a public report is presented on the local election preparation progress and issues identified as part of the introduction of voter ID requirements locally.

Councillor Andrew Hollyer, who will be proposing the motion, commented:

“This is an outrageous, expensive and convoluted exercise of direct voter disenfranchisement in a bid to tackle effectively non-existent fraud. The changes will clearly most directly affect younger, low income, homeless, LGBT+ and young people – hardly known as supporters of the Conservative party.

“Since passing this pointless legislation, little to no information and support for preparing for the changes has come through to councils. With elections less than 5 months away, the short timetable and lack of clarity about the rules could cause hundreds of people to be stopped from voting at the local elections.

“It’s not just those without ID that will have to pay up, either buying ID cards or giving up paid work to apply for ID documents. The Government’s own figures suggest the scheme will cost up to £180million extra a decade. So we’ll all pay – and for what? Naked disenfranchisement straight out of the Donal Trump playbook!

“The Government should be trying to increase engagement in democracy, not hinder it. I hope all councillors will join us in standing up for voter rights and calling out this outrageous attempt at taxpayer funded disenfranchisement.”

Full Motion text: 

York Opposes Voter ID Requirements

“This Council notes that:

·        Voters will be required to show an approved form of photographic identification at polling stations from May next year, under measures in the Government’s Elections Act 2022. The secondary legislation is yet however to be finalised and implemented.

·        The total cost of the ID roll-out overall could cost £180m over a decade, according to Government’s figures.

·        According to the Electoral Reform Society, the accepted forms of photographic identification would disadvantage younger people.

·        In September the Electoral Commission issued a stark warning to the Government over their “fundamental concerns” and “alarm” over these plans – which it said could not “be delivered in a way which is fully secure, accessible and workable” in time for the local elections in May.

·        There were only four convictions resulting from the allegations of in-person voter fraud during the 2019 General Election.

·        Electoral Commission research has found that about 7.5% of the electorate do not have access to any form of photo ID.

·        Over 1,100 people were denied a vote in local government elections during the 2018 and 2019 Voter ID pilots.

·        After the May 2018 Voter ID pilots, the Electoral Reform Society concluded that the introduction of Voter ID is ‘a sledge hammer to crack a nut’.

·        Insufficient information regarding the introduction of the new voter ID policy has been shared with local councils ahead of the May 2023 election.

·        There is expected to be a substantial additional strain on staff and resources preparing for the introduction of these changes. Including the issuing of local electoral identity documents, communication of the new rules and the impact of training, retaining and recruiting election day staff who will have extra responsibilities at polling stations.

This Council believes that:

·        The introduction of mandatory Voter ID will undermine the democratic process and create barriers to exercising the right to vote, disproportionately affecting ethnic minority, low income, homeless, LGBT+, elderly, disabled and young people.

·        The Government should be trying to increase engagement in democracy, not hinder it. The Government should be urgently acting to increase voter registration and turnout. 

Council therefore resolves to:

·        Request the Chief Operating Officer writes to the Cabinet Office to express the Council’s serious concern as to the introduction of mandatory Voter ID in any UK elections.

·        Request a report is brought to a public meeting outlining the plans and update on preparations to introduce mandatory voter ID for the May 2023 local election in York.”