Attwells Solicitors
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New figures reveal that 95 voters in the Ipswich and Central Suffolk and North Ipswich constituencies did not return to vote after being initially turned away for lacking proper photo ID in the July general election.
The big picture: Across Great Britain, 50,000 people were initially turned away due to a lack of valid ID, and 16,000 did not return to vote.
The data shows that the issue only affected 225 voters across Ipswich's two constituencies, representing a small fraction of the 60,158 voters at polling stations.
Yes, but: The Electoral Commission cautions the true numbers may be higher, as some voters may have been informed about ID requirements before being officially recorded as turned away.
Why it matters: Everyone eligible to vote should be able to do so. The new voter ID requirement, introduced in May 2023, has raised concerns about potentially making voting harder for younger people and ethnic minorities.
Central Suffolk and North Ipswich:
33,527 total voters at 87 polling stations
82 voters initially turned away (0.3%)
50 returned, 32 did not (0.1%)
Ipswich:
26,631 total voters at 59 polling stations
143 voters initially turned away (0.4%)
80 returned, 63 did not (0.2%)
What they're saying: Electoral Commission chief executive Vijay Rangarajan said: "This was the first time all voters across the UK were required to show photographic ID at a general election, and the data shows almost everyone was able to do so successfully.
"However, our research shows that the need for ID discouraged some people from voting – and we don't want to see any voters lose their say."
Between the lines: The Commission's polling reveals disparities in awareness of the new rules:
71% of 18 to 24-year-olds aware vs. 91% for those 45 and over
76% of people from ethnic minority communities aware vs. 90% of white people
What's next: The Electoral Commission is recommending changes to support those without ID and improve election accessibility while maintaining security.
They've called for the government to review whether more forms of ID could be accepted, such as the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card and the 18+ Student Oyster photocard.
The bottom line: While the number of affected voters in Ipswich was relatively small, the data highlights potential challenges in implementing voter ID requirements fairly across all demographics.
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