Poland also votes on Sundays (although some referenda have been 2-day affairs). And I'm pretty much sure, it was never allowed to vote here without an ID.
I'm also baffled how that is a problem in UK/US.
I'm also baffled how that is a problem in UK/US.
1. Culturally not needing ID is important. That's lessening, but certainly in my age group there's a considerable amount of people who do not want to be asked for ID because it's an infringement on their liberty.
2. Vote suppression. By choosing some documents (more likely to be held by your supporters) as valid ID, and others as not (make up any excuse) you can ensure your supporters aren't turned away at the polls while other party supporters are, this effectively disenfranchises them but you can pretend it wasn't on purpose.
I'd say the European assumption would be that there are one or two valid ID cards (a passport and a national identity card), and owning either one would be mandatory. Doesn't then disenfranchise anyone.
It's not mandatory in all European countries though. But I think it's usually mandatory that you are able to identify yourself somehow.
The main way you might be required to identify yourself in the UK is if a Police Officer says either you are suspected of a specific crime, or you are a witness to such a crime. In both cases officers are entitled to you truthfully revealing your name and address as part of investigating the crime, but they aren't entitled to see a photo ID as you may not even own such ID. If you refuse to identify yourself in either of these cases, or the officer believes your answer was deceitful, they can arrest you (which if you were a suspect was likely going to happen anyway).
There is no need in Germany to show an ID or have the ID with you, only to own an ID.
2. "Vote suppression"
Voter turnout:
Germany 2021 76,4%
UK 2019 67,3 %