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Boris Johnson turned away from polling station after forgetting to bring photo ID
(www.theguardian.com)
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this post was submitted on 02 May 2024
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This fucking dingbat. Even if he was just a random citizen, he should know by now that you need to bring ID. And it’s always good to check if you have it when going to your polling station.
Here in the Netherlands, we’re VERY strict on ID. No ID, no vote. I’ve been witness to a fair few elections as a reporter, and it always gets drilled into the people who run the polling stations: even if the King himself walks in, you ask him for his ID and tell him to bugger off if he doesn’t have it. I’ve seen city mayors turned away at polling stations in their own council buildings for failing to produce ID. And they all perfectly understand why those strict controls are necessary.
To disenfranchise those without government issued ID
This is only really an issue if it's not free and convenient to get one, as in huge swaths of the US.
And also, the UK
Coming from a country where no ID is required but everything still goes smoothly, I'm not sure strict ID controls actually are necessary.
The UK never needed ID, there was no evidence of voter fraud happening at polling stations. So voter ID was introduced.
There has been evidence of voter fraud happening via postal votes where no id is required.
The UK doesn't have any government ID, only ID by proxy like drivers license and passport. So poorer people and the elderly are less likely to have photo id. Only one group got an exception - the one that voted conservative.
The previous Scottish conservative leader committed electoral crimes live on TV. There was no consequences. But know people are further disincentivesed to vote, despite very little evidence of people fraudulent casting votes claiming to be someone else.
Yeah, no need for ID to vote here in Australia. Just rock up at any polling place and give your name and they'll cross your name off.
Don't even need ID to register to vote. Any other person on the electoral roll can vouch for your identity.