The Electoral Commission has called for the Government to ensure future elections are as accessible as possible in a new report on voter ID arrangements.
Its report found that those who were living with disabilities and/or in deprived communities were more likely to have been put off from voting in May’s local elections because of ID requirements.
As first was going to press, Levelling Up Minister Rachel Maclean told MPs the Government would now review the voter ID scheme.
The commission has recommended that the kinds of ID acceptable at polling stations should be widened, and more support provided for council election teams to deal with the greater administrative burden a General Election could bring.
Cllr Shaun Davies, Chair of the LGA said: “It is of concern to councils and their returning officers that a number of people were not aware of ID changes and left unable to vote, particularly those living with disabilities.
“It is important that the Government takes on board recommendations from this report to broaden out the ID documents that can be accepted by polling staff.
“Council election teams are often small and so were reliant on help from areas without local elections to administer these changes last May.
“It is clear that, as we approach future elections, this will not be sustainable, particularly in a General Election.
“Councils will need support from government to recruit additional staff so they can manage increased demand.”