Why is it that I - a woman in my early 20s - will be turned away if I try to vote using my travel card, but someone over the age of 60 won't for using theirs? Doesn't seem very democratic, right? That's because it's not. And this is the reason why I and many young people like me are so angry about voter ID.
Under the Elections Act all voters are now required to present photo ID to vote in person. This goes for general elections and parliamentary by-elections across the UK, as well as local elections in England.
The Government claims the move will prevent voter impersonation which might sound sensible enough, were it not for the complete lack of evidence of mass in person voter fraud actually occurring in Britain. Data shows that in all the elections held in 2023, there were only two allegations of ‘personation’ at polling stations, with no further action taken in either case. In 2022 there were only seven, again with no further action.
These are vanishingly low statistics and can’t justify the Government’s reasoning, or balance the 14,000 people who were turned away from polling stations in last year’s local elections for not having the right ID. This figure could be as high as 5 million at the upcoming General Election if awareness of the new rules isn’t improved but then, that’s probably the point.
This figure could be as high as 5 million at the upcoming General Election if awareness of the new rules isn't improved but then, that's probably the point
In remarks made by Jacob Rees-Mogg last year, you'll find that some Conservatives have been open about their motives and they chime perfectly with the forms of ID permitted if you want to vote. The Government has provided a carefully curated - and unjustifiably arbitrary - list of IDs, providing older voters with a large number of options, while providing relatively few for young people.
At least in introducing voter ID the Government attempted to offer up some hint of a fig-leaf. When challenged over their barely veiled attempt to disenfranchise swathes of young people through the selective acceptance of IDs, they couldn't even be bothered to conjure up an excuse.
The audacity is shocking, the act itself probably shouldn't be. Young people continue to be repeatedly and consistently screwed over by this Government. Decisions they have made over the last 14 years are the reason why so many of my friends are still living at home unable to afford rocketing rent prices; the reason I may never pay off my rapidly rising student loan; and the reason why so many young people will miss out on the opportunities that their parents and siblings had to study and work across Europe.
Young people continue to be repeatedly and consistently screwed over by this Government
Having neglected the needs of young people for so long, this Conservative Government has every reason to fear what we have to say, especially when it comes to the next election. Best for Britain’s latest mega-poll showed that 60% of young people are prepared to vote tactically to get rid of the current Government. That's 20% above the national average. But our votes won’t count unless we bring the correct form of photo ID with us to the polling station.
Whether they fear us or not, the Government has no right to strip us of our voice, but unless awareness of voter ID is improved, they'll likely get away with it. Best for Britain analysis also shows that one in four people between the ages of 18 and 24 are unaware of the rules around voter ID compared to 6% of those aged over 65, suggesting that thousands of young people could be disenfranchised. Government spin that 99% of people who turned up to vote last year were able to, is a deliberate attempt to mask the very intentional deterrent to voting they have created by introducing new and unnecessary obstacles for those less likely to vote for them.
Best for Britain analysis also shows that one in four people between the ages of 18 and 24 are unaware of the rules around voter ID
Most young people may show up to vote with ID, but for those of us struggling with increasing costs and pressures from work or study, a slip of the mind is more than understandable either in applying for the correct form of ID or in having it on hand on election day. Would most people really run home to get it? What if their work shift starts in the next 20 minutes? These are the small margins that could prove crucial.
This should ring alarm-bells for everyone, young and old. Now more than ever, we need young people’s voices in politics and not just because it's the right thing to do. Just look at the important role young people have played in securing progress on climate action and LGBT+ equality, all the while the Government has tried its hardest to push back on both.
Now more than ever, we need young people's voices in politics and not just because it's the right thing to do
But what can we do? GetVoting.org will give voters the information they need to cast their vote and secure change at the next election but it’s everyone’s responsibility to spread the word; to talk to friends, family, colleagues, even the ones you don’t like. Because on the question of why an older person can use their travel card to vote but I can’t, there’s no point waiting for the Government to provide the answer. We already know what it is. It’s up to all of us to do something about it.
Martha Harrison / Press Manager, Best for Britain
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