Liberal Democrat Group Draft Motion on Voter ID

Council Notes with concern that this new requirement creates a new barrier to residents exercising their democratic right to vote and may lead to some residents  being disenfranchised. 


Council:

  • Notes that new Voter ID requirements, introduced by the Elections Act 2022, involve voters having to show photo ID before being issued with a ballot paper at all elections from May 2023 onwards.
  • Notes with concern that this new requirement creates a new barrier to residents exercising their democratic right to vote and may lead to some [OUR AREA] residents  being disenfranchised. 
  • Notes that a list of ‘accepted’ forms of photo ID has been published and that this includes fewer forms of ID held by younger and marginalised people.
  • Notes that voters can obtain a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ from the Council if they do not have an ‘accepted’ form of photo ID.
  • Notes with concern the additional costs and administrative burden this will place on Electoral Services, and the risk of abuse towards poll workers from anyone denied a vote due to lack of ID. 
  • Believes that this legislation is unnecessary, undemocratic and an egregious example of attempted voter suppression.

Council therefore:

  • Calls on [Cabinet members/Committee Chairs] and Council services to make every effort to communicate these new requirements, to avoid any resident being disenfranchised.
  • Calls on the government to urgently expand the list of ‘accepted’ forms of photo ID and to fully fund the costs to Councils of implementing this policy.
  • Requests that the Leader communicate Council’s views to government and to our local MP[s].

With thanks to Bath and NE Somerset Group for draft