Read on Twitter
The world of voter ID laws is a dynamic one, when talking about ID laws you may usually think about in-person voting, yet mail-in ballots are become more important, due to *the current situation*, so let's consider the when, where and how of voting. https://reut.rs/2F9IQyI
1/8
1/8
Then When:
Is on the day voting for everyone? Unlikely, illness, travel or work mean that not everyone can get to the polls on time. So just open the polling stations for longer? Maybe....not https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11558-018-9305-8
2/8
Is on the day voting for everyone? Unlikely, illness, travel or work mean that not everyone can get to the polls on time. So just open the polling stations for longer? Maybe....not https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11558-018-9305-8
2/8
The article points to a substantial increase, if in the UK we were to have polling stations open for 24 hours turnout could increase by 8.5%! But poll workers are people and I presume this relationship would breakdown as voting is extended for too long, a celling effect.
3/8
3/8
So early in-person voting? Well we meet our old friend small effects again. https://www.jstor.org/stable/20452043 Mail-in ballots are likely to increase turnout and can be done at the voter's convince. This covers the where as well but what about those who want to vote in person?
4/8
4/8
The how (in the case of the UK):
What is how? Well according to Lord Justice McCombe, how is 'the steps by which, electors achieve the casting of a lawful vote.' This broad understanding of how relates to the recent ID pilots in the UK. https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/coughlan-v-the-minister-for-the-cabinet-office/
5/8
What is how? Well according to Lord Justice McCombe, how is 'the steps by which, electors achieve the casting of a lawful vote.' This broad understanding of how relates to the recent ID pilots in the UK. https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/coughlan-v-the-minister-for-the-cabinet-office/
5/8
When looking at this decision and the right to vote, the argument from McCombe is that as it is only a test the fundamental right to vote has not been overridden by a ministerial order. Permitting these pilots was significant it allows the gov to continue with its agenda.
6/8
6/8
So to conclude this thread that journeys from North Carolina to the UK. Voter ID laws are in a state of flux, they need to be monitored and assessed, their impact needs to be looked at alongside other electoral laws. For the UK was Coughlan v Cabinet Office the end?
7/8
7/8
No. The judgement leaves open opportunity for legal challenge if (when) the government decided to enact stricter ID laws. It's probably not too long before the UK has its own Crawford v Marion County. This will test the right to vote that hasn't been seen in a long time.
8/8
8/8
