Agenda item

To receive a report and accompanying presentation on the impact of the introduction of voters ID requirements for elections.

The report was introduced by Councillor Carlin, Cabinet Member for Finance and Local Investment as set out in the agenda pack at pages 57 to 92.

By way of introduction, the Panel was advised that this report provided details of the impact the introduction of Voter ID had on elections, the additional legislative changes which had been implemented and those which were scheduled to be implemented in accordance with the Elections Act 2022 and other government legislation.

It was noted that voter ID was problematic for a certain group of people, mainly for the younger population. Statistics outlined that 1% of people were turned away from voting for not obtaining a valid voters ID. Unfortunately, the statistics were not able to gather data on details including gender, age, and ethnicity.

Research had also been carried out around the potential number of people who may not have had an ID to vote. There was an estimation of around 9500 Haringey residents who did not have a voter ID. Haringey, compared to other London boroughs, had the benefit of carrying out the by-elections with voter ID and there had been work done to encourage people to have voter ID and this was also outlined in the presentation as set out in the agenda pack.

The following arose during the discussion of this agenda item:

a)    It’s very difficult to obtain quantitative date on the amount of people who did not turn up due to not having an ID to vote. However, the presentation highlights the turnout for the local government by-elections. Low turnouts resulted in analysing data difficult.

b)    Officers advised that during the last election, it was noted that many people arrived with an ID and those who arrived without an ID, later came back with an ID to vote.

c)    There had been 4 local government by-elections this year, 3 of which were after the introduction of voter ID. These by-elections have allowed the Electoral Registration Officer / Returning Officer to further refine plans in advance of major elections in 2024.

d)    The Communications plan promoted voters ID by reaching out to local residents in the wards by emails, letters, posters, leaflets, and digital advertisement.

e)    In response to a follow up question, the Committee was advised that by using more different creatives digitally, this would encourage a higher turnout, raise awareness, and prompt people to apply for a voter ID if needed.

f)     The Committee was provided with an update on the new parliamentary boundaries. The Committee heard that the final set of boundaries was approved by the Privy Council early November. Following the dissolution of the current parliament, the current Tottenham and Hornsey & Woodgreen would cease to exist. They would be replaced with Hampstead and Highgate, Hornsey and Friern Barnet, Southgate and Wood Green, and Tottenham (amended boundary). There were also plans to start the voter registration and voter ID campaign in February 2024.

g)    The Committee noted that in terms the Voter Authority Certificates, these were all processed through the central government data system (Gov.uk) and limited information was available with only access to baseline statistics.

h)    In response to a follow up question, the Committee noted that an engagement strategy had been implemented to reach out to young people in schools/sixth form. This would include working alongside with the schools and education colleagues to encourage participation.

i)     The Committee raised concerns around digital poverty and questioned the approach on how to target people who may experience digital poverty. Officers advised that a new leaflet had been designed which contained information about voter registration in various languages. This leaflet was also aimed to raise awareness about ensuing that people were on the electoral register first.

j)     In terms of record keeping on the number of voters turned away, the Committee was advised that for the next two parliamentary elections, staff would be required to complete a statutory forms which would include statistical data of quantities and number of people turned away. This would not include data such as demographics.

RESOLVED

That the Committee to note the report.