Staff Reports
In a recent report, it was revealed that former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was turned away by polling officials when he forgot his identification while attempting to cast his vote in the local elections. The incident took place in South Oxfordshire, where Johnson, a prominent figure in the English-speaking world, was not allowed to vote without providing identification.
Would Never Happen in USA – Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson Turned Away from Polling Station https://t.co/QwHHX9nveR #Trump2024
— JPNWMN (@JPNWMN) May 5, 2024
This situation highlights the stringent laws in the U.K. regarding voter identification. It was noted that in 2022, Johnson himself introduced the Elections Act requiring photo ID, and the new law was first implemented last year in local elections. This marked the first time large numbers of voters across England and Wales had to present ID, such as a passport or driving license, to vote.
While some have speculated whether Johnson’s forgetfulness was intentional, the fact remains that he was turned away. In the United States, voter ID laws vary from state to state. As of 2024, 24 states have a requirement to show photo ID at the polls, with another 11 states requiring voters to show non-photo ID.
For instance, in Texas, voters are required to present a form of photo identification at the polls. If a voter does not possess the necessary identification, they are asked whether they “cannot obtain an acceptable form of photo ID.” If the answer is affirmative, they can present a non-photo form of identification and complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
The comparison between the U.K.’s voter ID laws and those in the United States highlights the differences in approach to voting. While some states in the U.S. have voter ID requirements, they have been met with criticism from the left, who argue that such laws are discriminatory.
In fact, there has been significant opposition to voter ID laws, with some critics labelling them as discriminatory and reminiscent of the Jim Crow era. The insistence on showing identification before voting has been decried as akin to the policies that disenfranchised African Americans in the past.
Despite the opposition, a significant percentage of Americans, including people of color, support photo voter ID laws. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, 77 percent of “people of color” support photo voter ID laws, reflecting a desire for more stringent voter identification requirements.
The U.K.’s implementation of voter ID laws has raised questions about whether the United States should adopt similar measures. While there are differing views on the issue, the incident involving Boris Johnson’s inability to vote without identification has sparked conversations about the importance of verifying voters’ identities.
