Concern voter ID plans ‘will confuse voters’ as would be applicable for General Election but not Senedd or Council elections in Wales

Welsh Government have said plans for voter ID to vote in Wales could confuse the electorate, as the proposals would not apply to devolved elections.

The UK government’s Elections Bill proposes the introduction of mandatory photo ID, as well as measures relating to the administration and conduct of elections, overseas electors and UK citizens, and amendments to the role of the Electoral Commission.

The Bill would require voters in Great Britain to show photo ID before being issued a ballot paper in polling stations. UK Government say it is designed to prevent personation, the crime of pretending to be someone else when you vote. Convictions for that crime are rare, the Electoral Commission recorded one conviction in 2017 and none at all in 2018 – a range of accessible stats and more info can be found here.

As that page on the Commons Library notes, “Several local authorities piloted different voter ID schemes at the local elections of 2018 and 2019, under provisions of the Representation of the People Act 2000. In 2018, about 340 people were turned away at the polling station for not having the right form of ID and did not return to vote. In 2019, there were 740. This was between 0.03% and 0.7% of all voters in each local authority.”

The Welsh Government has this week announced “concessions” that mean large parts of the bill will not apply to Senedd and local government elections in Wales. This includes removing a proposed provision that would have allowed the Secretary of State to direct the Electoral Commission in the discharge of its devolved functions in Wales.

In a Legislative Consent Motion, to be voted on in the Senedd on Tuesday, the Welsh Government is recommending consent is given in 2 specific areas only – digital imprints and an offence of voter intimidation.

Mick Antoniw, Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution, said: “The concessions we have secured to this bill represent a success for devolution. The Welsh Government is committed to making elections as open and accessible as possible, and to do all in its power to increase participation.

“This is why 16 and 17 year olds and qualifying foreign citizens will be able to vote in local elections in Wales for the first time this May. We are also running pilot schemes in four local authorities designed to make it easier for people to vote at a time and a place that is convenient for them.

“The UK government plans for voter ID risk making voting harder. Though the proposals won’t apply to devolved elections, they will apply to general elections in Wales and I’m concerned this will confuse voters. We have shared our concerns with the UK government.”