Technical Notes 2023, Issue 77 - Voter Identification – Response from UK Government

At its meeting on 9 March 2023 East Dunbartonshire Council resolved as follows:-

Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the United Kingdom Government expressing:

1. our opposition to the plans for mandatory voter ID, which will disproportionately impact on younger voters and vulnerable people, who are less likely to have the necessary documentation;
2. our disappointment, in particular, at the exclusion of student ID cards from the list of approved ID;
3. our concerns that the new requirements will result in voter confusion, additional bureaucracy and costs, and will negatively affect the administration of elections; and
4. our belief that these measures are disproportionate in light of the lack of evidence of any significant risks to the integrity of in-person voting.

A copy of the response from the United Kingdom Government is attached for Members’ information.