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Motion from Liberal Democrat group - Voter ID

 

 

Meeting: 16/03/2023 - Council (Item 95)

95 MOTION FROM LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GROUP - VOTER ID pdf icon PDF 126 KB

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Minutes:

On a motion from Councillor Matt McCabe, seconded by Councillor Joel Hirst, it was

 

RESOLVED that

 

Council:

 

  1. Notes that new Voter ID requirements, introduced by the Elections Act 2022, involve voters having to show photo ID before being issued with a ballot paper at all elections from May 2023 onwards.

 

  1. Notes with concern that this new requirement creates a new barrier to residents exercising their democratic right to vote and may lead to some Bath and North East Somerset residents being disenfranchised.

 

  1. Notes that a list of ‘accepted’ forms of photo ID has been published and that this includes fewer forms of ID held by younger and marginalised people.

 

  1. Notes that voters can obtain a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ from the Council if they do not have an ‘accepted’ form of photo ID.

 

  1. Notes with concern the additional costs and administrative burden this will place on Electoral Services, and the risk of abuse towards poll workers from anyone denied a vote due to lack of ID.

 

  1. Believes that this legislation is unnecessary, undemocratic and an egregious example of attempted voter suppression.

 

Council therefore:

 

  1. Calls on Cabinet members and Council services to make every effort to communicate these new requirements, to avoid any resident being disenfranchised.

 

  1. Calls on the government to urgently expand the list of ‘accepted’ forms of photo ID and to fully fund the costs to Councils of implementing this policy; and

 

  1. Requests that the Leader communicate Council’s views to government and to our local MPs.

 

[Notes;

 

1.  During debate, an amendment was moved by the Independent group, to remove point 6 of the recommendation.  This was lost, with 8 Councillors voting in favour, 38 Councillors voting against and 1 Councillor abstaining.

 

2.  During debate, an amendment was moved by the Conservative group, welcoming the strengthening of the electoral process but acknowledging this could discourage some voters.  This was lost, with 11 Councillors voting in favour and 36 Councillors voting against.

 

3.  The successful resolution was carried with 37 Councillors voting in favour, 10 Councillors voting against and 1 Councillor abstaining.]

 

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