Voter ID

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

If people haven’t/didn’t have the wherewithal to apply for the much publicised free ID certificate perhaps they also haven’t got the wherewithal to vote?

Personally, I suspect that there a few people who don't have the wherewithal to vote wisely, but we are supposed to live in a one person/one vote democracy and I don't think we should be introducing some kind of intelligence test to see whether people are worthy of a vote.

Of course you are correct growstuff I was feeling slightly mischievous so thought I would play devils advocate.

Foxygloves

A valid point Wyllow but what would be considered sufficient personal ID? Other than those examples already identified.

For young people, a travel card or certificate from school/college with photo and official stamp (dead easy to produce).

If there are people who genuinely have no photographic ID and no council tax or utility bills, something is very wrong. Such people are going to be excluded from almost all society, so maybe there should be citizen cards (or something) for them.

The issue is likely to be that they have mental health problems, are homeless or just not very bright and they are already effectively excluded from mainstream society.

How about some kind of intelligence test for candidates wishing to stand in elections? Not sure what the bottom line should be.

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

If people haven’t/didn’t have the wherewithal to apply for the much publicised free ID certificate perhaps they also haven’t got the wherewithal to vote?

Personally, I suspect that there a few people who don't have the wherewithal to vote wisely, but we are supposed to live in a one person/one vote democracy and I don't think we should be introducing some kind of intelligence test to see whether people are worthy of a vote.

That was clearly exposed a few years ago!

GrannyGravy13

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

If people haven’t/didn’t have the wherewithal to apply for the much publicised free ID certificate perhaps they also haven’t got the wherewithal to vote?

Personally, I suspect that there a few people who don't have the wherewithal to vote wisely, but we are supposed to live in a one person/one vote democracy and I don't think we should be introducing some kind of intelligence test to see whether people are worthy of a vote.

Of course you are correct growstuff I was feeling slightly mischievous so thought I would play devils advocate.

and then accuse others from being disingenuous- wow!

Although I live in Scotland, I do know one person who couldn't vote because she didn't have any suitable ID. She's never held a driving licence or passport and doesn't have a bus pass or anything similar. She would probably fall into the category of what some on here have described as 'not having the wherewithal' - but she was quite distressed as she's voted in every other election since she was eligible. She can't have been the only one in this position, surely|?

Fleurpepper

GrannyGravy13

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

If people haven’t/didn’t have the wherewithal to apply for the much publicised free ID certificate perhaps they also haven’t got the wherewithal to vote?

Personally, I suspect that there a few people who don't have the wherewithal to vote wisely, but we are supposed to live in a one person/one vote democracy and I don't think we should be introducing some kind of intelligence test to see whether people are worthy of a vote.

Of course you are correct growstuff I was feeling slightly mischievous so thought I would play devils advocate.

and then accuse others from being disingenuous- wow!

At least I admit it when I am being mischievous…

Yes - there will always be a group that aren't coping at all, but I'm thinking of a band above that, where a level of making it really simple/accessible would have been able to vote and would do in the future.

One obvious problem is how much is paperless atm unless you have a printer so producing what used to be the easier sent to you utility bills - water, gas, bank, council tax, TV licence, membership of this or that credible organisation is getting harder and harder.

But not beyond the ability to find solutions. We really do need to bring as many people as possible into the voting booth or postal vote for our future.

GrannyGravy13

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

If people haven’t/didn’t have the wherewithal to apply for the much publicised free ID certificate perhaps they also haven’t got the wherewithal to vote?

Personally, I suspect that there a few people who don't have the wherewithal to vote wisely, but we are supposed to live in a one person/one vote democracy and I don't think we should be introducing some kind of intelligence test to see whether people are worthy of a vote.

Of course you are correct growstuff I was feeling slightly mischievous so thought I would play devils advocate.

Good Heavens, GG13. I recall making the same suggestion, as a joke, a few years ago and you gave me a distinctly frosty response!

This is what all you who thing that people should have known, or they should have planned in advance and whatever other things that 'people' should have done, seem to forget. There are people whose circumstances or mental capacity or inability to read, make it difficult or impossible to do whatever you all think they should have done.

But they are all entitled to vote We have universal adult suffrage.

FP is right. There are people posting who are living in a bubble and seem to be unable to see out of it.

MaizieD

GrannyGravy13

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

If people haven’t/didn’t have the wherewithal to apply for the much publicised free ID certificate perhaps they also haven’t got the wherewithal to vote?

Personally, I suspect that there a few people who don't have the wherewithal to vote wisely, but we are supposed to live in a one person/one vote democracy and I don't think we should be introducing some kind of intelligence test to see whether people are worthy of a vote.

Of course you are correct growstuff I was feeling slightly mischievous so thought I would play devils advocate.

Good Heavens, GG13. I recall making the same suggestion, as a joke, a few years ago and you gave me a distinctly frosty response!

This is what all you who thing that people should have known, or they should have planned in advance and whatever other things that 'people' should have done, seem to forget. There are people whose circumstances or mental capacity or inability to read, make it difficult or impossible to do whatever you all think they should have done.

But they are all entitled to vote We have universal adult suffrage.

FP is right. There are people posting who are living in a bubble and seem to be unable to see out of it.

I have already posted that I was being mischievous and playing devils advocate. There was ample time to get ID if needed, it was even detailed on Poling Cards what would and wouldn’t be accepted and how to apply for the free ID certificate.

It looks like the need for photographic ID is here to stay, unless of course the next Government backtrack.

People have got more than enough time to apply for the free certificate if they need to before the GE.

Could we perhaps hear what other countries require in the way of ID

Our new system is apparently the most stringent in operation anywhere.

The Government's own study also showed that (I think 0.7% of the 2% who had no suitable ID from memory) couldn't vote. It was small but not exactly insignificant number.
I can look it up later. Or someone else can.

Fleurpepper

No, just too obvious to bother.

Really? I still await enlightenment. Are you not able to supply it?

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