Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
ID for voting? What do people think?
I'm totally in favour of this. It's common sense IMHO. I can't see why some folks are opposed to it.
Every time I start a new job, open a bank or credit account or pick up a parcel I have to produce some kind of ID. What's the big deal about showing some ID before you vote?
I'm very in favour of ID cards too. I'm fed up of having to dig out copies of utility bills and passport copies for ID. I have to do this quite frequently for work. It's such a pain. I want to have one central thing that identifies me beyond doubt. If they can manage this in India then ...
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
-
I think the problems are going to be felt by younger or some poorer voters. When I first voted at 18 I didn't have a passport, driving licence, utility bill; all the stuff you're normally asked to produce. Similarly if you don't have much money you're less likely to have photo ID or to be more likely to be living in accommodation where you have to move frequently - think of the London rental market for instance. In principle I have no objection but there are some practical problems that will need to be sorted out.
-
Permalink Reply by EMC2 on
-
Where I'm from there was a saying- "Vote Early, Vote Often". Unsurprisingly ID is now required. But never mind ID, don't you think it's more important that we have a truly secret ballot?
-
Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
-
I agree Osbawn.
Here in Germany we have ID cards (exactly the same format as Passbook personal details pages, but credit card sized) with the home address on the back. We also are required to register where we live, put our names on doorbells and/or letterboxes*. Everyone registered is automatically sent election bumpf. Proof of ownership or rental agreement must be shown when registering. *Names on letterboxes means that letters just aren't dumped in any old letterbox and the chances of illegal use of election papers is more difficult.
We also have a bye-law in Berlin that states that every house must have an illuminated white house number light, with black numbers, to be seen from the footway. To make life easier and quicker for Emergency services, police and delivery & taxi drivers. Like the one here:
-
-
A couple of links..
Obligation of Identification: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obligation_of_identification
Credit Card sized ID card: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_identity_card
European Overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_identity_cards_in_the_Europe...
-
Permalink Reply by John D on
-
Very sensible Stephen.
Living in Belgium in the 70s I had to have an ID card ( and be able to produce it on the street at any time to any policeman ). The cards were issued by the Commune in which we lived. together with a Composition de Famille paper showing who ( adults and children with DOB ) were living at our address. We had to clearly display house numbers too.
Voting was compulsory for every Belgian national, but not for other nationalities for whom it was optional.
-
-
I would also note that in the 33/34 years that I've now been living in Germany, I've never felt any less 'free' than I did previously in the U.K. In fact, being able to prove my identity without comeback, has often been a benefit.
That's why you'll find me on the pro-ID side of the argument.
-
Permalink Reply by JJ B on
-
The view that having ID cards is such a moot point anyway, in an era when people voluntarily provide so much of their personal info online to large corporate interests and the state who knows exactly how to 'find' you when it wants too. At least for the 'ordinary' citizen.
It is surprising that a modern democracy can allow people to show up and vote wihout proving their entitlement to do so. That naivete explains too much about the whole EU situation and resentment towards 'foreigners'.
As mentioned above, having official ID cards would free the less well off from having to find all the stupid pieces of paper just to prove who they are. Pieces of paper which aren't foolproof any way, in this age of sophisticated printers, etc.
For us French citizens ID cards are necessary to carry out certain admin stuff. They are provided free of charge. That wasn't always the case. Passports, however are costly, which is fine because you do not absoutely need one to travel in the EU. And travel is a luxury anyway!
The whole debate about having a UK id is similar to that of the EU referendum (with differents stakes of course). Dealt in much irrationality and little fact. Sigh. Rant over.
-
Permalink Reply by L F T Snowflake on
-
I can't see a problem with producing ID and as regards the 'poor' objection, its funny how those who are too 'poor' to pay out for a passport or driving licence seem to always have enough money for the latest phone or trainers.
The one thing I would insist though is the only BRITISH passport holders should be allowed to vote in general elections.
At present we exist as about the only country in the world where the government can be voted into office by people from up to 56 nations because we give the vote to Irish Republic and Commonwealth citizens. So if we take this area, it is quite possible that the MP for the BRITISH parliament has been elected by hardly any British people.
Needless to say that apart from Ireland, no other Commonwealth country that I can find gives us the same right when living in their countries.
-
-
Well, I have no idea what Livingstone's objections are but the Electoral Commission have estimated that 3.5m people - over 7% of the electorate - do not have ID that would be acceptable. It's also worth bearing in mind that the universal ID system in the UK was dropped, not because of civil liberties concerns, but because of the cost.
-
-
It wouldn't cost a penny to simply require people to bring their polling card which is posted to them at their home address anyway. That would seem a logical first step.
© 2024 Created by Hugh.
Powered by
