Racial discrimination at polling stations, overwhelmingly disadvantaged WOC on 2 May

[Chirawehaha]

https://bylinetimes.com/2024/05/23/vast-majority-of-those-turned-away-over-voter-id-in-local-elections-were-non-white-according-to-polling-station-observers/

Excerpt:

Seven in ten voters turned away due to issues with photo ID during this month’s local and police commissioner elections in England appeared to not be white, according to the first major analysis of the May 2nd voting process.

That compares to just a quarter of the population in England and Wales who are not white, according to the latest 2021 census. The research by the non-partisan group Democracy Volunteers suggests that people from ethnic minorities are far more likely to have faced issues with the voter ID rules – posing serious risks of discrimination in the imminent General Election on July 4th.

One in fifty voters – 2.1% of those observed – overall were turned away for lack of ID, mostly in urban areas, the report out today (May 23rd) has found.

The demographic differences were stark, according to the 150 volunteers who observed 725 polling stations on May 2. Fifteen percent of those excluded were ‘white passing’ men, 26% were ‘non-white passing’ men, 15% were ‘white passing’ women, and 44% ‘non-white passing’ women.

That comes to over two-thirds of those turned away appearing to be from ethnic minority backgrounds, and is a significant rise from the 55% in last May’s elections.

In contrast, observers noted 12 voters were allowed to vote without showing ID; most of whom were ‘white passing’.

Its gives the percentages against the UK population... what were the percentages against the local population?

In a non diverse, pre dominantly white village... the statistics are worse
If the polling stations were in areas with massive immigrant populations then other factors may be at play.

The change was designed to disadvantage people less likely to vote Conservative, as admitted by Jacob Rees Mogg when he described it as having “backfired” when it turned out some Conservatives were also prevented from voting.

The government was well aware that the new system disadvantaged people from ethnic minorities, the young and disabled people. No point pretending to be surprised about it now. https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/13/uk-election-watchdog-issues-damning-verdict-on-voter-id-impact

@Bellevilles

The change was designed to disadvantage people less likely to vote Conservative, as admitted by Jacob Rees Mogg when he described it as having “backfired” when it turned out some Conservatives were also prevented from voting.

This. It is exactly what the Tory government was hoping for. Those from disadvantaged groups of whatever colour are far less likely to have suitable ID.

This. ^ Someone is trying to make an issue here where there isn't one.

If someone hasn't got adequate I.D. at the polling station, they don't get to vote, no matter what their skin colour. Simples.

If more POC are forgetting I.D. or not bothering to get any at all, then that's not the fault of the people in the polling stations turning them away@Chirawehaha

This is a ridiculous non story, (by the bylinetimes,) designed to stir up discord and disharmony. As @GasPanic said at 13.53, it's very easy and quick to get I.D. And the General Election is nearly 5 weeks away, and the I.D. only takes 7-8 days to get to you once you apply, so you have plenty of time to get it!

As long as you apply before 26th June 2024, you will get it in time to vote in the General Election. If anyone can't vote because they don't have I.D. they only have themselves to blame!

.Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Exactly.

Follow the instructions and bring ID is not that hard. Also ,stop opposing the ID
for citizens so you if do not have anything to hide get one and carry it with you. If you oppose to this do not moan not matter what colour you are.

I'm asian - I agree, no drama, please move along

As far as I can see @DelilahBucket is pointing out what looks like extremely sloppy research or misrepresention of research for click bait.

What the hell does "white passing" mean? What definition where the volunteers using to decide if someone was white? Were they all using the same definition?

150 volunteers covering 5 polling stations each - how long were they there, how did they observe? Where were the polling stations and how were they selected? How do the "observed" percentages compare with local population statistics? How do they know what ID was being presented?

None of this is answered by an organisation which seems very concerned about racial profiling but whose team and advisory panel are themselves 100% white.

Surely a lot depends on the demographic of the area the polling station was in? Maybe it’s an area with a large black or Asian population?

The stats are meaningless unless you know the ethnic profile of the area.

There is nowhere near enough data to claim racism. Just 150 observers, and how did each observer manage to monitor 5 polling stations. There wouldn't have been as many open on 2nd May, but at a general election there are 40,000 polling stations.

In some constituencies I would totally expect a majority of people turned away to be non-white (eg. Leicester East 19% white population, Ilford South 19% white, Bradford West 30% white, Hayes & Harlington 31% white). Some individual polling stations within these constituencies would have very very few white voters.

In other constituencies I would expect almost zero non-white people to be turned away, as there are very very few non-white voters. There are 14 constituencies with 98% or more white population.

Voter ID appears to have misfired.

https://x.com/gavinesler/status/1795889321754415504

I honestly do not understand the consternation over voter id. It is bonkers to me to think that we ever voted WITHOUT checks on our identity!

Why? Electoral fraud was virtually non existent. If it ain’t broke, why fix it?

Do we know the figures for electoral fraud? I am not aware of these. I know that postal election fraud/manipulation is a big thing but not sure how you would stop it.

Nine.

Voice4Change England is disappointed that the government began the 2021 parliamentary session by including, in the Queen’s Speech, plans to require voters to show an approved form of photographic ID at polling stations in UK parliamentary elections in Great Britain and local elections in England. We are deeply concerned about the democratic deficit that this proposed new legislation would cause. The plans call into question the integrity of the electoral process, but there is no evidence to support the government’s claims of widespread electoral fraud. The government should instead endeavour to extend enfranchisement, not put up more barriers for people seeking to exercise their suffrage.

committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/38405/html/

Figures for 2022 here.

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/research-reports-and-data/electoral-fraud-data/2022-electoral-fraud-data

It does seem to be a limited thing when voting in person. But I do worry about coerced voting and women from some communities who will never get near a ballot box having their votes stolen. This would happen by postal vote in most cases I guess and would be impossible to prove.

Did Saint Boris deliberately turn up without ID, so he could be the statistic of “white people get turned away as well”? Of course, it’s more likely he was hoping to play the “don’t you know who I am” card, but still…

I’m asian, I don’t know a single person without a passport. Hopefully people got some clarity about bringing ID with them and unless you decided to leave it to literally the last few minutes before voting closed you have time to go get your ID.

Loads of countries have ID cards, it’s not unusual. I had an european friend who was utterly aghast at the lack of checks during voting.

Postal voting is where the problem really is though, I knew a returning officer how was utterly exasperated by candidates coming in with bags full of postal votes. It was definitely suspicious.

candidates coming in with bags full of postal votes.

I can’t see how that’s possible, given that postal votes have to be sent directly to the electoral admin department to be valid. Sounds like an urban myth to me.

@BIossomtoes you can hand a sealed postal vote in. I've done it for DH before (he hadn't had time to post it, so I took it with me to the polling Station after checking the rules. That was the 2019 GE.

Your friend should have referred their suspicions to the police.

Oh come on! 😂

That is not true. They are limiting the amount of postal votes that can be dropped off now so that's a good thing. Still extra votes that could be manipulated though.

Handing in postal votes at a polling stationFor elections taking place on or after 2 May 2024, you will be only able to hand in your own postal vote, and the postal votes of up to five other people, at a polling station or at your local council.
If you are handing in postal votes you will need to complete a form giving your name and address, how many postal votes you are handing in and why you are handing them in.

Info from here:
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/ways-vote/security-postal-voting

Just because more of one group couldn't vote because they didn't have ID than another, doesn't mean that group were discriminated against. It just means that more people in that group turned up without ID.