The UK government’s decision to require photo ID for elections in Wales next month is causing concern over potential voter turnout. The requirement will be introduced for police and crime commissioner elections, with the aim of thwarting attempted voting fraud. However, the change has been branded unnecessary and harmful by the Electoral Reform Society. Voter ID was introduced for England’s local elections in 2020 and will also be used for the next UK general election. Northern Ireland has required photo ID since 2003.
In Wales, four police and crime commissioners will be elected on 2 May, one for each of the police force areas. They are responsible for supervising local police forces and setting budgets for their particular area. PCCs can appoint and dismiss chief constables, but do not make operational decisions. All four of Wales’s main political parties are fielding candidates. This is the fourth time such elections have been held, but the first in which voters will be required to prove their identity.
The UK government argues that voter ID is crucial to the electoral process, but the Electoral Reform Society has labelled the change unnecessary and likely to deter voters. Last year’s elections in England saw the introduction of voter ID, a change which Oxford University’s Prof Petra Schleiter suggests consistently reduces turnout. Nevertheless, the UK government argues that having photo ID helps ensure the integrity of elections, and the Electoral Commission has been running a public awareness campaign ahead of the May polls.
The main forms of photo ID acceptable are passports and driving licenses, while bus passes for older or disabled people also suffice. Even expired IDs can be used if the photograph still resembles the voter. Failing this, a Voter Authority Certificate can be applied for or postal voting is available. The Electoral Commission has suggested that the list of acceptable IDs should be extended. The deadline for registering to vote is 16 April, and the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 24 April
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