illegal not to register to vote ?

[bigdods]

Now I always thought you could choose not to register to vote by simply not filling in the voter registration form. Now dont get me wrong, I ALWAYS vote but I thought I had a choice. Voter registration form arived this morning (as it does every year around this time) and in big red letters is says words to the effect that it is an offence in law not to complete and return this form (not in front of me cant remember the exact words).

So its illegal not to register now ? I honestly thought in this free country if you choose not to vote then its up to you, there is no law forcing everyone to register. I guess I am wrong ?

[r5gttgaz]

I followed the same route, they then sent someone to my house with forms and I had to fill them out on the doorstep.

Edited by r5gttgaz on Monday 16th October 08:35

[gozomark]

"I honestly thought in this free country if you choose not to vote then its up to you, there is no law forcing everyone to register"

there is no compulsary voting, but yes you do, by law, have to register (if you are elligible)

Edited by gozomark on Monday 16th October 08:36

[bigdods]

Hmm so they can then sell your details on for a tidy profit. AH well thats answered the question for me !

[craggers]

r5gttgaz said:

I followed the same route, they then sent someone to my house with forms and I had to fill them out on the doorstep.

Edited by r5gttgaz on Monday 16th October 08:35

Ditto. Quite gobsmacked that they told me that I GOT do it *like they pointing the gun to my head*

[gozomark]

but you can partially restrict access to your details

www.electoralcommission.org.uk/your-vote/access.cfm

[james_j]

It's not your right to vote thay are worried about, they just want to know as much about you as possible and this is a good way to do it under the cover of something else.

[r5gttgaz]

craggers said:

r5gttgaz said:

I followed the same route, they then sent someone to my house with forms and I had to fill them out on the doorstep.

Edited by r5gttgaz on Monday 16th October 08:35

Ditto. Quite gobsmacked that they told me that I GOT do it *like they pointing the gun to my head*

Yes. Not impressed!

Edited by r5gttgaz on Monday 16th October 09:24

[Moo Moo]

Could you not refuse if they came to your door step. They could be anyone. I don't hand over personal information to cold callers

[justinp1]

bigdods said:

Hmm so they can then sell your details on for a tidy profit. AH well thats answered the question for me !

This is exactly the reason.

I have had an interesting encounter from Warrington council.

The first time I gave them my name, in block capitals, they managed to input it wrong.

I second time I gave them my name, in block capitals, they also managed to input it wrong.

I contacted the council and got a correction form, filled it out, in block capitals and *still* managed to input it wrong.

Now its sorted with my name spelt correctly.


This tells me a few things:

1) They employ numpties to input the data.

2) It would seem you could give a name as Fred Bloggs, or Mickey Mouse and they do not cross reference names, I know this as my surname is very rare and the version they inputted with the spelling mistake no-one has in the world.

3) Its annoying as on credit reports it shown up as an annomaly.

4) I get a hell of a lot of junk mail through my letter box and 3/4 of it I can tell straight away without even opening it - it has by name spelt the way the council inputted it...


The companies have obviously bought the data and do not update for a few years.

[7db]

How do they know to ask you to vote if you aren't on their register? Seems to me that once you fall off, it's awfully hard to compell you to fall back on again.

[wolf1]

I refused to fill out the census when that came round. They tried the you HAVE to fill in the census garbage but were told to Foxtrot Oscar. They didn't do a thing so i guess they were full of it as usual

[jasandjules]

bigdods said:

Hmm so they can then sell your details on for a tidy profit. AH well thats answered the question for me !

What sort of Data are they asking for? It can only really (under DPA principles unless there is an exception here) be for the purposes of registering you to vote, so really Name, Address, and Age. Anything apart from them, Foxtrot Oscar indeed.

[who me ?]

gozomark said:

but you can partially restrict access to your details

www.electoralcommission.org.uk/your-vote/access.cfm

By ticking/not ticking ( can't remember which - but local council advisor will advise) you can stop access to your details - then when the "Capitol Credit Card sends you an application form ---do what i do - stick it all in the envelope AND SEND IT BACK-.If two firmssend you a form -- remove personal data - put them in the other envelope and send it back.

LETS HELP B****GER UP THE SPAM MAIL SYSTEM - ALL RETURNED SPAM HELPS

[fish]

If you get really peaved, send the reply envelope back with a brick tied to it.

[roadbandit]

It may be illegal not to register. However that did not stop the thousands that went missing. due to the poll tax. Question is who they going to address the summons to. If you are not on the register.

Edited by roadbandit on Monday 16th October 22:17