Local authority leaders have called on the Government to delay the introduction of voter ID requirements until after the local elections in May.
Ahead of a vote in Parliament this week on government plans to introduce voter ID for the May 2023 elections, Cllr James Jamieson, chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA), warned that there was ‘insufficient time’ for councils to prepare for the change.
‘While we accept that voter ID has now been legislated for, electoral administrators and returning officers should be given the appropriate time, resource, clarity and detailed guidance to implement any changes to the electoral process without risking access to the vote,’ he said.
Citing the Gould Principle, which holds that electoral law should not be changed within six months of an election, Cllr Jamieson said that the new law would have a number of implications for local authorities.
‘The new voter ID requirements would have a number of implications for councils, such as a review of polling stations, and where necessary finding new venues in time for May’s elections,’ he said.
‘We also have concerns over the readiness of new IT systems, being able to properly test these and ensure staff receive training.
‘In addition, new voter ID requirements will require comprehensive local awareness campaigns, which councils need to be adequately funded for to tailor awareness raising efforts with the needs of their local population.
‘Therefore, it is sensible for the introduction of voter ID to be delayed until after May’s elections. In the meantime, we want to work with government to ensure elections are a ‘no fail’ service and that councils are given the right amount of time and resource to implement any changes.’
