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WQ.202/2023
WRITTEN QUESTION TO
THE CHAIR OF THE PRIVILEGES AND PROCEDURES COMMITTEE BY DEPUTY M.R. SCOTT OF ST. BRELADE
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY WEDNESDAY 10th MAY 2023 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON WEDNESDAY 17th MAY 2023
Question
"Will the Chair advise to what extent, if any, consideration is being given to the introduction of voter identification in elections, including the practice of enabling States Members standing in the relevant election to identify constituents who do not possess a formal identification document when voting, and, if voter identification is not being considered, will she undertake to ensure that it is included in all and any discussions taking place regarding electoral reform?"
Answer
The Elections (Jersey) Law 2002 does not prescribe how voters need to prove their identity to register, either online, by post or in person. On Election Day, checking the identity of a voter is left to the "satisfaction of the Autorisé".
The CPA BIMR Election Observation Mission (EOM) report found that voters were almost always asked to show a proof of identification such as a passport or driving licence, and in some polling stations posters were displayed highlighting the need for photo identification. Polling officials were instructed to request a (photo) ID in cases where the identity of the voter was not known to a polling official or to other voters who might be voting at the same time. The EOM identified that voters who may not have such documents are at risk of being prevented from voting by an administrative practice, as there is no system in place for these voters to obtain a specific voter ID document that includes a photo. In that regard, the EOM made the following recommendation:
Recommendation 10: As the requirement for voters to use photo ID to prove their identity is not established in law and restricts suffrage, consideration should be given to whether the use of photo ID as evidence of voter eligibility should be maintained or whether other alternative methods of proving identity are suitable.
PPC is currently considering the recommendations made by the EOM in conjunction with the report by the Jersey Electoral Authority. In relation to recommendation 10 specifically, the Committee has not yet considered whether the use of photo ID should be maintained or whether other alternative methods of proving identity are suitable. It is anticipated that the Committee will look at best practice elsewhere which could include whether States Members standing in the relevant election could identify constituents who do not possess a formal identification document when voting.