Beating Fraud At The Ballot Box

[sp1814]

I have no problem being asked for ID before voting, but I can understand that not everyone actually has a bank card or even a current passport.

What are your thoughts?

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/local-elections-latest-voters-denied-right-id-check-identification-polling-stations-london-a8334306.html

[Jackdaw33]

If it were compulsory to carry them about at all times as in France then I would agree but I don't think that is the plan.

[ToraToraTora]

mamy, when you said there was "not a single" register I thought you meant not one. All i'm saying is, set up a system. Like they did for postal voting for the disbabled.

[Kromovaracun]

It might not be now. But it's not exactly a difficult change to make once everybody is already used to them. You can easily imagine a series of outrageous newspaper stories creating public demand for "carry at all times" laws.

[Mamyalynne]

I see TTT we were at cross purposes.

[douglas9401]

"I’m surprised that we cannot vote online. That would surely be more secure than postal votes?"

Endless hours of searching online reveal no instances of fraud, error or criminality with regard to stuff online so I guess you're right sp1814.

Or very drunk.

[Kathyan]

When my husband was in the Army and in Aldershot (we live in Sheffield) he applied for a postal vote. It arrived the day after the election!

[New Judge]

The vast majority of voting fraud is down to the postal vote system. Before it was opened to all on demand there were adequate arrangements in place for those who genuinely could not make it to the polling station. This included the disabled, the military and people with scheduled holidays or who would be away from home. The difficulties arose when it was opened to anybody who wanted it. That's when, in places like Tower Hamlets, "community leaders" could be found harvesting postal voting forms.

[fender62]

and the majority of fraud is from what groups in particular...and why

[Old_Geezer]

If it is true that going postal is the weakness and voting in person comparatively safe, then this is an exercise in mistrusting the citizen for no good reason. More a case of being seen to be doing something, rather than fixing the issue. Well, that sounds about the norm in today's world.

[emmie]

that we should all hold an ID card and that it shouldn't be beyond reason to be asked to show the card at the polling stations.

[Jackdaw33]

The article, which I have just bothered to read, mentions 'disadvantaged people'. What does that term mean in plain English?

[Jackdaw33]

//it will suppress turnout, particularly among migrant communities, asylum seekers and disadvantaged people who have the right to vote may have no stable residence or the proof required.\\

Sounds a plus to me.

[Mamyalynne]

Reading the rest of that sentence Jack., I think it means people with no fixed residence - sofa surfers, the homeless etc who may not have sufficient ID.

[Mamyalynne]

Ah we crossed.

You like that, fair enough.

[Old_Geezer]

It is always beyond reason for the State to insist we show our papers on demand.

[Old_Geezer]

Wartime being a possible exception.

[ToraToraTora]

sp; "’m surprised that we cannot vote online. That would surely be more secure than postal votes? " - have day off SP, there's never been any internet fraud has there! even if it was secure it has the same problem with block voting as postal. Nope, aside from the cases discussed above, people should have to actually go and vote, end of.

[Peter Pedant]

// If it were compulsory to carry them about at all times as in France//

these were called Pass Laws and they had them in South Africa - very popular I remember - if you didnt have one on you it was off to the slammer ! hooray ! - another good idea out of Africa

[Peter Pedant]

// It is always beyond reason for the State to insist we show our papers on demand. Wartime being a possible exception.//

was the reason for DORA 1939, introduction of identity cards and the guarantee that they would be scrapped post-war.

DORA - defence of the realm act

the identity card number was later incorporated into the NANO - National insurance number - you know the insurance which ...isnt insurance - that one

[waterboatman]

I always take my Poling Card with me. Common sense.