A CAMPAIGNER is continuing his battle over voting ID at polling stations to the highest court in the land.

Neil Coughlan, 69, from Witham, is challenging plans to force people to have photo identification when voting in local elections.

A pilot scheme was rolled out in ten local authority areas – including the Braintree district – in 2019.

The High Court and Court of Appeal ruled the schemes were lawful, but Mr Coughlan has been given permission to appeal those decisions in the Supreme Court.

Mr Coughlan does not have photographic ID, and when he challenged the pilot schemes, one of which was in his area, he said he believed many of his neighbours did not have the necessary documents either.

He has concerns that vulnerable and poorer members of his community, who are already less likely to vote, will struggle to provide ID, and are likely to be deterred or prevented from having their voices heard.

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Data from the pilot schemes suggest that if the ID requirement becomes law, 300,000 voters could be excluded from voting.

The case is supported by LGBT Foundation and Stonewall, who say voter identification requirements are especially likely to disadvantage people who are trans or non-binary.

It is also supported by Runnymede Trust, Operation Black Vote and Voice4Change England.

The Government says voter ID is to prevent voter impersonation at polling stations.

However, in 2017 there were just 28 allegations of impersonation out of nearly 45 million votes cast, of which only one case resulted in a conviction.

Mr Coughlan said: “Despite all of the moves to make it a legal requirement to present ID at the polling station, I am still convinced that the change will prevent and deter people from voting, and as a result lead to fewer people taking part in the democratic process.

“I am hopeful that the Supreme Court judges will agree with my legal team’s arguments.”

Currently, Mr Coughlan is crowdfunding the campaign, having raised almost £100,000 through more than 5,000 pledges.

You can pledge or read more at /bit.ly/3GSSTSh.

The case was heard by the Supreme Court today.