East Devon councillor speaks out against voters having to use photo ID at future elections

East Devon district councillor Sarah Jackson has spoken out against the government's new rule requiring voters to show photo identification at polling stations, saying it "undermines democracy".

The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station was introduced by UK Government's Elections Act, which comes into effect for the first time in May 2023 – in time for the next East Devon District Council elections.

Cllr Jackson, an Independent East Devon Alliance councillor representing Axminster at East Devon District Council, has argued that the new rules will put people off voting and benefits certain groups of voters over others.

Commenting this week on social media, she said: "I am so concerned that a significant number of people will not bother voting or be unable to vote this time around as voting is becoming increasingly arduous.

"In order to vote you must have a piece of photo ID, and not any photo ID, a piece of in-date photo ID from a prescribed list. Don't get caught off-guard.

"If you have a current photo driving license or a passport you should be fine, provided you still look like you did when the photo was taken! But it disenfranchises those who don't, or who leave deciding to vote at the last minute.

"Even if you have those forms of ID, will everybody know to take it with them to the polling station? If you got turned away at the polling station in search of a new document to prove your identity, would you return to vote?

"This change benefits those who normally win the postal votes ballot. A photo ID is not a requirement to register to vote by post. Arguably an area of more risk of electoral fraud IS the postal vote!

"But these new measures do nothing to tackle that part of our voting system. For example, who is checking that the residents of a home fill in their own ballots, or that a rogue postal worker isn't intercepting all of your neighbours' postal ballot papers?

"This system benefits those who mop up the older vote too, as there are more accepted forms of ID for the retired and elderly than for the young.

"Those who are disenchanted with politics, who only engage with it just before voting day, or those who aren't wedded to a particular political party and so don't receive regular communication updates as part of a paid membership, could be caught off-guard by this change.

"Our voting system should not benefit anyone over anyone else, and it should not disenfranchise any individual or group of people.

"It should be inclusive, accessible, and easy to engage with. This is a step backward for democracy, I fear.

"£180million has been wasted on this because of four cases of voter fraud. A sledgehammer to crack a nut. An unnecessary expense, at your expense.

"This totally undermines democracy. We should all be very angry about it."

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers' licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person's bus pass.

Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission's website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID once it has launched: electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID

If voters don't have accepted photo ID, they can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a 'Voter Authority Certificate'.

Those needing to register to vote can do so at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Residents will not need to provide photo ID to vote by post.