Voter ID process discriminates

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I am not going to argue here the reasons for or against the need to produce ID to vote, but I do think the UK legislation is facing a too-tight timetable and also, as it stands, is potentially hugely discriminatory. Acceptable ID include passport, driver’s license, and one of a few other possible IDs, most of which are reserved for 60+. Not going to spell it out, but passports, driver’s licenses and/or 60+ cards don’t really reach everyone.
Student ID cards and transport cards are not acceptable, apparently because they are too easily faked…

Yes, you can argue that the Voter ID card is available, but that’s an extra step that falls unequally onto the shoulders of the young and the poor, populations who are less-inclined anyway to vote. The government refused several amendments from the Lords to make the process more inclusive. Local councils have reported that they just don’t have the resources required to process Voter ID applications in time. How exactly is this promoting democratic participation? I don’t think it is, and I think (and this is where perhaps you can argue whether I am being U or NU) the Tory government is restricting this deliberately. Because passports and driver’s licenses are middle-class markers, and 60+ are more likely to be Tory. Students and public transport users, hmm, not so much.

Lots of people who haven't moved house in the last couple of decades still have paper, not photo, driving licences.

And their passports might have expired or be off being renewed.

Though perhaps an expired passport will count??

Who doesn't have a passport or license (even provisional) these days?

My mother and both in laws, as it happens.

Not everyone would be allowed a license.

Voters in N. I. have to prove their identity to vote. If you don’t have a driving license or a passport you can obtain a free electoral ID card to vote. It’s always amusing what people elsewhere think of as oppressive or discriminatory when it’s been common practice within the UK for decades.

According to government research, 91% of people have in date, valid photo ID. Ownership is highest among 18-29 year olds, lowest among over 85s. Not exactly surprising, but rather contradicts anyone looking for party bias.

If Voter ID cards are free for the small minority excluded, then I can't really see a problem. Getting the right ID to vote will become part of the democratic process in the UK. If you don't want to take part, you don't need to make the effort.

"Who doesn't have a passport or license (even provisional) these days?"

People who don't travel or drive.
Some disabled people can't get provisional driving licenses.

I currently have no photo ID.

I’ve been trying all year to get my provisional licence, but because I went from using my married name to my maiden name, then changed it via deed poll, the DVLA won’t change my name unless I produce a divorce certificate (complex legal reasons as to why I’m not, mostly to do with DV/addict ex, and he’s also why I changed my entire name before moving across the country) or a deed poll showing I went from married to maiden - I didn’t use a deed poll to do that because you don’t fucking need to.

My passport expired over a decade ago, but I’m now having to get that sorted with my new name, so I can get my provisional licence sorted. Extra expense, extra hassle.

My mother too. She can't travel any more so why the hell would she spend all that money on renewing her passport and she's never been able to drive.

I'm in NI at the minute

No driving licence or passport and I'm in my 30s so not old enough for the over 60 ones

I could still get my electoral ID card and now use that as my only form of photo ID

All I needed was to go to an MLAs office in the nearest town with a photograph - they confirmed I was the person in the photograph and helped me with the rest of the application, cost me nothing and I know several other people who also got their cards this way due to a lack of other photo ID

It makes sense for there to be an alternative application method for those of us with no access to photo ID to undergo the process. It is not rare to be without a driving licence or passport for a multitude of reasons - I'm not allowed a provisional licence and many others will be in the same boat.

"If you don't want to take part, you don't need to make the effort."

No, no, you shouldn't place barriers making it more difficult for people to vote.

And what's stopping them?

Maybe it's a generation thing but seems a bit ridiculous in this day and age not to have some form of photo ID - it's needed for so many things, not just driving or travelling abroad.

"Surely you know this isn’t common or indicative of class status? An adult passport is £75 and a provisional license is £34."

That's quite a lot of money if you don't intend to travel or drive.
Also, the counter signature on your passport has to be done by a person from a list of 'professions' something easier for middle class people to do as they'll know more people in those jobs.

You don't need any of that ID if you do a postal vote - perhaps the way forwards if people have no DL/passport - then no transport cost either.

"Why can’t everyone obtain a license?"

Disability or illness.

Wouldn't it be required for postal votes too?
I think postal votes are even worse for corruption to be honest.

Disagree.
There are already minor barriers, applying to the electoral register within a certain time frame, applying for a postal vote within a certain time frame or attending set in person polling stations.

Access to photo ID is really not that prohibitive. A driving license and passport are not the only forms.

In the modern world it seems logical to prove your identity to vote.
Photo IDs are not that hard to access.

Wouldn't it be required for postal votes too?
I think postal votes are even worse for corruption to be honest

No, and you are entirely correct, postal voting has much greater problems.

It's going to worsen the problems of electoral fraud as more people move to the weaker system

@10speckledfrogs I agree. It works fine in NI. I’ve genuinely never come across someone who wants to vote but can’t access any form of ID.

In fact voting turn out is higher for the NI assembly than it is in Scotland or Wales, even though you need photo ID.

It's an outrage. I've had a postal vote for two general elections and numerous local ones. So, how are future postal votes going to work.?

Since I applied for, and was granted, my postal, vote I've never had to show a photograph to prove I was who I said I was. I answered various questions, supplied my signature, and it was granted.

what happens when/if this law passes? Do I have to go somewhere in person to show some form of photographic id?

and how much illegal voting exists anyway? And what is the proof that this change is needed? And how, exactly, are local authorities to be be funded for the extra work this will entail?
not only will this law disenfranchise poorer people, but also disabled people.

an outrage, and if we stand for this (to quote) your children will be next

No need for passports as don't travel outside the country.

Both women never learned to drive. Over 75 and not about to start now - frankly, my Mum would be dangerous!

FiL no longer allowed to drive due to eyesight.

I think a lot of the resistance on here may just be people being worried about change

As you say it works brilliantly here, once implemented I doubt people will be as up in arms, especially if the rest of the UK is given an alternative like our card - they are simple to get and it's really not a bother. Like you I don't know anybody that struggled to get ID

I think it gives a bit of confidence in the voting system knowing people have to produce ID to vote - you know for sure people aren't going in pretending to be someone else. I have much more trust that the results here are less likely to be fraudulent and are more likely to be truly reflecting the choices of those that do vote

It follows logic that the ID requirements UK wide would be similar to those already in place in NI now. You can apply for an electoral identity card which is official photo ID and free.
Voter ID is not cost prohibitive.

If we just had ID cards, provisioned at 16 at no cost to the recipient like NI numbers, then we'd be fine.

I'm a British citizen, but I've lived all over the world and it's considered completely normal to carry a form of formal ID with you. The ridiculous exceptionalism of this country is embarrassing.

How do face coverings work with other places that use voter ID? I've been told we will need to provide private booths and mirrors for women to remove and replace face coverings. And staff checking these women will also need to be women. Logistically, practically and financially very difficult but essential if we are asking women who wear face coverings for religious/cultural reasons to use ID to vote. Airports can accommodate this but temporary polling stations (village halls etc) with temporary staff...how does this work elsewhere?

If the way to get an electoral card is easy and free, then that's one thing: somehow I can't see it being if each council is responsible for it. Will the government be providing funding for it? Or is this why council tax will be increasing? Quite frankly, there are many better ways to spend the money than to fix the practically non-existent problem of voter fraud.

I'm puzzled by the PP applying for a provisional licence in order to work: you don't need a photo ID to work.

And how do posters not understand that there are a lot of people who are medically unable to drive, so can't "just" get a provisional licence!