LGA leader repeats warning that councils may be “overwhelmed” by voter ID requirements in May elections
The Local Government Association (LGA) has reiterated fears that councils could be “overwhelmed” during local elections in May as a result of the Government's new voter ID requirements.
Voters will be required to show a form of identification in order to cast their vote in the upcoming elections, but the LGA's leader, Cllr Jamie Jamieson, has said he remains concerned electoral staff will not be able to cope with the new system at short notice.
Speaking to the Observer, Cllr Jamieson said: "Raising public awareness of these new requirements is crucial, and we remain concerned about the potential for electoral staff to be overwhelmed with enquiries and voter authority certificate applications when polling cards go out."
Voter Authority Certificates are a temporary form of identity that people without an appropriate form of ID can apply to their local authority for.
Applicants must be registered to vote and will need to provide their date of birth, National Insurance number, and a photograph with their application.
Cllr Jamieson added: "Electoral administrators and returning officers also need urgent clarity and detailed guidance to implement any changes to the electoral process without risking access to the vote."
In December 2022, Parliament passed the Government's plans to introduce voter ID for the May 2023 elections, following the passing of the Elections Act 2022 in April 2022, which gave the Government powers to implement the rules.
A week before the vote, Cllr Jamieson advised against implementing voter ID requirements so close to the May elections, voicing support of the 'Gould Principle' whereby electoral law should not be changed within six months of an election that the change would impact.
Speaking in December, Cllr Jamieson set out concerns over the readiness of new IT systems and the effectiveness of local awareness campaigns and noted that councils would need time to review polling stations and, where necessary, find new venues.
Concerns were also raised by The Constitution Society, which published a report in November that found the voter ID requirement "will potentially result in a significant extra burden" on electoral administrators who will be required to implement the policy in May.
The report, 'An accident waiting to happen? Voter ID in the 2023 English local elections', featured a survey of councils which showed that 45% said they were either 'not at all confident' or 'not so confident' that they could train staff on the new voter ID requirements.
Adam Carey
