Voter Id

[Hymie]

As gentle reminder, don’t forget that you will need photo ID (or some other acceptable documentation, not just your polling card) in order to vote at polling stations come the May local elections and at the General election (whenever that happens).

I think that this government backed video explains things, and the reasons for needing photo ID perfectly.

[goodgoalie]

Excellent idea. Now they should tackle the misuse of postal voting.

[Hopkirk]

Yes. Postal voting is a major problem. No secret ballots there, many are told how to vote, or never see the form.

[naomi24]

Great idea. Not before time.

[gness]

Oh thanks, Hymie! You've given us a laugh tonight. Luckily both Dave and I have bus passes. ;-)

[goodgoalie]

One of the (many) things that annoys me about postal voting is that the votes can be sent in so long before election day - long before the hustings and debates have come to an end.

Someone could have sent in their vote before, say, some huge scandal about whom they've voted for is uncovered before election day.

[Buenchico]

Thank for making me smile, Hymie.

Just in case anyone actually wants the real info though . . .
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id

[1ozzy]

LOL, most Abers will have forgotten this vital information come May

[Gromit]

// Postal voting is a major problem. //

It isn’t. A tiny number use postal voting and the majority do it legitimately. A very tiny number fraudulently use the vote, but not enough to sway any vote.
ID will deter many people from voting, especially the poor.

[naomi24]

Gromit, it is not a tiny number.

// Postal voting is common in the United Kingdom, 8.4 million postal votes were issued, 18% of the UK electorate (18.2% England, 19.4% Scotland, 19.4% Wales and 1.9% N.Ireland) in the 2017 general election//

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postal_voting#:~:text=Postal%20voting%20is%20common%20in%20the%20United%20Kingdom%2C%208.4%20million,%25%20Wales%20and%201.9%25%20N.

[rowanwitch]

I use postal voting because I can't guarantee I will be mobile enough to get to the polling station on the day. They recently sent out a form asking for my current signature so postal voting documents can be checked. For those that don't know you have to submit a signed declaration with a postal vote. Your voting paper is in a separate sealed envelope so you still have a secret ballot.

[bobbinwales]

Its easy to say the rate of voter fraud is very low but the truth is we dont know. It could be huge especially in communities where someone sorts out all the admin for you by collecting your form and fills it in for you. No I cant prove it either but you cant disprove it.
But it make's sense to make sure systems are fairly secure. I need ID to get into work or the gym or collect a parcel from the post office, I dont protest its an attack on poor people I just get on with it because I'd be cross if someone pretended to be me and collected my parcel or use'd up my gym slot for the day. Its a sensible move and in before long we'll be wandering why we di'nt do it earlier for such an important thing as voting for who rules us

[mushroom25]

do you get a kickback from the makers of these clickbait videos you keep posting? is this why you keep doing it?

[Old_Geezer]

Daft idea. There's no evidence of massive 'in person' voting; and certainly nothing that warrants having citizens prove oneself to authorities in order to get a basic right. They have their voting card, the address is known.

(As a gentle reminder, if planning on voting for one of the useless main parties, it may be best to lose any official id proof first.)

[MusicalN]

I officiate at a local polling station, and think it is an excellent idea to bring in ID. It should have done years ago. Anybody can walk in and say they live at such-and - such an address, and unless the real occupant turns up later, one would never know.

[fiveleaves]

Thinking of making a peaceful protest at my polling station if prevented from voting