In May this year, voter ID was enforced for the first time in polling booths across England. Photo identification such as a driving licence or passport will be needed to vote in the forthcoming parliamentary by-elections, future recall petitions and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales. From October, everyone will need photo ID to vote in UK General Elections.
In this podcast, Committee Corridor looks at voter ID - what is it? Why is it needed? And how will the experience of the local elections scale up in a ageneral election?
Host Catherine McKinnell hears from Dr John Ault, Director of Democracy Volunteers, an organisation which observes elections and reports their findings to improve electoral practice in the UK and abroad. His team fielded over 150 observers at more than half of the council's holding elections and he highlights key findings from their work.
Two select committees have tracked the progress of Voter ID closely. Their Chairs join the podcast to consider what can be learned from the recent elections and the challenges ahead. Clive Betts MP chairs the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee while William Wragg MP chairs the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee.
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