Voter ID: 3 in 10 Londoners turned away do not return to vote

13 August 2024

Voter ID: 3 in 10 Londoners turned away do not return to vote

Almost 30% of voters who are turned away from polling stations due to a lack of photo ID do not return to vote, according to new data.

Figures from Labour London Assembly Member Len Duvall show that of the 5,000 voters councils recorded turning away at the London elections, more than 1,400 did not return to vote.

A total of 5,065 voters from 25 local authorities in London were turned away from polling stations, with only 3,629 of these returning to vote later in the day. The remaining 1,436 did not return.

This data does not cover those without ID who did not attempt to vote in the first place.

The Electoral Commission previously found that 4% of non-voters in the 2023 local elections refrained from voting because of the new photo ID rules. They also found that those renting from a social landlord, the unemployed, lower social grades, and disabled people were less likely to have the identification needed to be able to vote.

The requirement for voters to present photographic ID was introduced by the former Government, with the May 2024 elections being the first to happen in London under the new rules. This requirement was introduced regardless of data showing that there were only 33 allegations of impersonation at the polling station, out of over 58 million votes cast at the 2019 General Election.

Len Duvall, Leader of the Labour Group at the London Assembly, said:

“It is extremely worrying that so many Londoners were disenfranchised because of the previous Government’s photo ID rules.

“Our democratic rights are precious. Sadly, the last Government’s voter ID rules are getting in the way of Londoners having their voice heard.

“Make no mistake: these rules were brought in because the last Government thought it would keep away those people less likely to vote for them. I urge Londoners to find photo ID or get a Voter Authority Certificate ahead of the 2026 local elections in our city so that they can have their say.”

ENDS

Notes:

Len Duvall OBE is Leader of the Labour Group at the London Assembly and Assembly Member for Greenwich and Lewisham.
Data has been gathered from 25 councils through Freedom of Information requests and is below.

	No. of voters turned away from polling stations because they lacked valid photo ID	No. of voters returned to cast votes after being turned away	No. of voters who did not return to vote	Percentage that didn't return
Barking & Dagenham	78	52	26	33.33%
Brent	251	190	61	24.30%
Bromley	111	83	28	25.23%
Camden	194	119	75	38.66%
City of London	13	11	2	15.38%
Croydon	291	183	108	37.11%
Enfield	460	325	135	29.35%
Greenwich	350	247	103	29.43%
Hackney	232	173	59	25.43%
Hammersmith & Fulham	309	229	80	25.89%
Haringey	172	150	22	12.79%
Harrow	120	83	37	30.83%
Hillingdon	173	113	60	34.68%
Hounslow	125	94	31	24.80%
Islington	195	141	54	27.69%
Kensington & Chelsea	28	17	11	39.29%
Kingston	86	64	22	25.58%
Lambeth	362	256	106	29.28%
Lewisham	383	281	102	26.63%
Merton	285	229	56	19.65%
Redbridge	175	105	70	40.00%
Richmond	91	58	33	36.26%
Sutton	110	85	25	22.73%
Wandsworth	312	198	114	36.54%
Westminster	159	143	16	10.06%
Total	5,065	3,629	1,436	28.15%

The Electoral Commission report on the 2023 local elections, including data and analysis on the photo ID requirement, can be found at Report on the May 2023 local elections in England, Electoral Commission, 13 September 2023

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