Local elections 2019 Any MNers in an pilot area that requires voter ID.

[HelenaDove]

How did it go. It seemed to go seamlessly for us. Although it does seem like they are using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/30/voter-id-trial-local-elections

8 areas 8 sets of rules

My area were piloting voter ID last May and I was a poll clerk. We were told to accept a poll card with a bank card or photo ID if the voter didn’t have their polling card. To my knowledge we didn’t turn anyone away and it didn’t affect the turnout.

It would kind of defeat the object if they didn't query the address on the ID being different to the address on the electoral register, I'd expect them to take that seriously.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/local-elections-woman-87-whos-14984757

Local elections: Woman, 87, who's voted all her life turned away for having no ID

EXCLUSIVE: The 87-year-old woman left a polling station without casting her vote in Pendle, Lancashire, as part of a regional trial of anti-fraud checks

We are in one of the areas, and I’d be very surprised if there has ever been voter fraud here. We’re probably taking part so the district council can suck up more to the government.

I just took my drivers licence and voted with no problems. We have had loads of reminder leaflets and it’s been on the side of council vehicles for ages.

This is the second election that my area has trialled photo ID. We didn't need our polling cards but did have to have photo ID. For people who don't have any they could apply for a local elector card from the council which is free, or request a postal vote. There has been lots of publicity about it locally so hopefully most people have got the message. I think the trial last time showed there wasn't too much of an impact on turnout.

The staff are there from 6.30 am till close of poll so there is no late shift

Having a national photo ID card could solve this and so many other problems. I've lived in 3 countries where an ID card was mandatory and it was so much easier. You showed your ID for identification, travel, banking etc and never had to take the ridiculous 'two proofs of address' or 6 months of bank statements, council tax letter etc that I've had to tout around here for various reasons.

I nearly didn’t vote because twice I went past the polling station and didn’t have my ID (I don’t take my purse to work or when I walk the dog) and I would have definitely have just stopped and done it. I had to go back after the dog walking.

We have had countless reminders and there are posters on the backs of buses etc. But I still didn’t get myself organised for it.

balloon
British people have never had to have ID
Its a historical quirk that will not change now

Yes. And, despite it being a posh commuter village, I realised it's still the proper countryside when the old chap in front of me presented his shotgun licence as ID, and sent his apologies for his wife (Pat), as her hip's playing up again 😆

Having a national photo ID card could solve this and so many other problems. I've lived in 3 countries where an ID card was mandatory and it was so much easier. You showed your ID for identification, travel, banking etc and never had to take the ridiculous 'two proofs of address' or 6 months of bank statements, council tax letter etc that I've had to tout around here for various reasons

I agree. Just renewed my driving licence. The online process was a bit long, you had to put in loads of info but it didn't take more than about 10-15 minutes and cost £14. A passport costs £70odd by comparison. Why can't we at least choose to have an ID card so we don't need to carry bank statements around with us if we want to open a bank account or join a library? £14 really isn't expensive for 10 years.

I find it weird that you don't have a simple id card in the uk.
it's standard in many countries and in many you have to carry it with you at all times as well.