Boris Johnson turned away from polling station after forgetting to bring photo ID
Boris Johnson turned away from polling station after forgetting to bring photo ID
Former PM made the requirement to bring photo ID a stipulation of the Elections Act in 2022
Former PM made the requirement to bring photo ID a stipulation of the Elections Act in 2022
Archived version: https://archive.ph/5CEb7
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In Australia we don't show ID either to vote. You just say your name and they look you up in a giant book and draw a line through your name.
Always thought it was strange. Honour system I guess.
Let me guess? You can also just vote at a specific polling station?
The system works, because each citizen is assigned to a polling station, and once a name is crossed out that person can't vote again. If you happen to arrive at the polling station and your name is already crossed out they will probably ask for photo id next and if it is really you they might call the election office to find out what to do next. This system is somewhat crude but effective.
What Zagorath also replied. I can go vote anywhere. Everywhere in my region they have the same giant book with everyone's names. They obviously reconcile it later to double check but it still amazes me as a system.
Well, that doesn't seem secure. Guess you guys down under are more trustworthy than us germans.
It works just the same in Germany. People usually show up with their voter notification letter that has their name, address, date of birth and voter number on it. Unless 20 year old Janine shows up with the letter sent to 87 year old Hans, it is assumed that everything is in order. Her name will be crossed off the list and the letter of notification will be withheld, because it helps the volunteers with counting later on (think "We have 875 vote slips in the ballot box; do we also have the corresponding 875 voter notification letters that people left?").
That said, people can also show up without the letter and present their ID card (Personalausweis) or passport. That isn't strictly required, however. Both voter notification and official ID are fine on their own.
Edit: What is true, however, is that you cannot choose where to vote. There is only one voting location that has you on their list of eligibility.
Nope. In Australia you can vote easily at any polling booth in your electorate, or with a little more difficulty (more paperwork, none of which requires ID) if you're out of your electorate.
No, you can vote at any polling station. If you vote in your district, they cross you off their list. If you’re outside your district, they look you up. Also, it’s a requirement to vote or you get fined. Elections are on a Saturday and you must be allowed to leave work to go vote if needed.
That only works because you have compulsory voting, so impersonation is not really possible.
But I can just say I'm someone else and then they might get in trouble for voting more than once.
Same in USA.
This was the same in UK until Boris