Thank you for writing to me about photographic voter ID.
The Elections Act 2022 puts a requirement for confirmed voter identification into law, alongside other measures to strengthen electoral integrity, including: tackling postal and proxy voting fraud; tackling intimidation; increasing transparency of digital campaigning; and preventing foreign interference in elections.
I believe that voting is a fundamental right and should never be made more difficult without clear and compelling reason.
I am aware of concerns that have been raised by some of my constituents and by local authorities about the short timescale for the introduction of these changes. I recognise the administrative challenges this brings for councils and I do not want to see anyone disenfranchised because of administrative problems or because they are not aware of the new requirements. As a result, I have written to the Secretary of State responsible to ask that these changes not be applied to the May 2023 local elections.
