Individual Electoral Registration – changes voting registration

Former_MSE_Wendy

The way we register to vote in England and Wales has changed and will change in Scotland from 19th September 2014.

The change means, rather than one person registering all members of a household each individual will need to register themselves.

You need to register in order to be able to vote

If you aren’t registered, you don’t get a say on who represents you.

It can also help boost your credit score as if you're not on the electoral roll it's unlikely you'll get accepted for credit. This is because credit reference agencies use the register to confirm where you live in order to counteract fraud.

How to register

You can register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Or if you’re unsure whether you are already registered under the new system, contact your local electoral registration staff via the www.aboutmyvote.co.uk site.

Do I need to do this?

Even if you were registered in the past, you may need to register again, particularly if you’ve moved in the last 18 months, so do check.

Read More

Read more about the changes in our 60 Seconds... on changes to the electoral roll

GingerBob_3

When the CRAs receive the full version, will they now also get access to the date of birth and NI number of the voter?

Electoral_Commission

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, we're not sure what you mean by CRA. Could you clarify for us? We'll then get back to you.

Thanks,

Electoral Commission

fermi

CRA = Credit Reference Agency.

Experian, Equifax and Callcredit

JulianBarnes

Is it a legal requirement to be registered to vote?

If I decide I'm apathetic to politics and therefore not registered, can it effect my credit rating?

Thrugelmir

JulianBarnes wrote: »

Is it a legal requirement to be registered to vote?

If I decide I'm apathetic to politics and therefore not registered, can it effect my credit rating?

Irrespective of your views on other matters. The lack of electoral roll registration will cause you major issues at some point in your life whether it be to obtain credit or another form of contractual arrangement. Where the business will wish to validate your creditworthiness. As data will be collected regardless.

Hazzinho

Yep if you don't register to vote you aren't as credit worthy. If you want credit and to buy a house then register, if you don't then you're OK. I don't care if the CRA's store my DOB and national ref no as I have nothing to hide.

GingerBob_3

Hazzinho wrote: »

Yep if you don't register to vote you aren't as credit worthy. If you want credit and to buy a house then register, if you don't then you're OK. I don't care if the CRA's store my DOB and national ref no as I have nothing to hide. Not sure why people are so paranoid when they give far more away to sell on social networking.

Please fill in the following (post it here):

Full Name:
Address:

DoB:
Place of Birth:
Employer Name:
Job Title:
Current Salary:
NI Number:
Bank Account No:
Driving Licence No:
Passport No:
Height:
Weight:
Nationality:

Suitable time and date for me to come round and install CCTV in your bedroom:

Hazzinho

Pretty sure that's not what they asked for and also pretty sure you're not a regulated company. I'll not worry and you can be all paranoid about it.

Nasqueron

JulianBarnes wrote: »

Is it a legal requirement to be registered to vote?

If I decide I'm apathetic to politics and therefore not registered, can it effect my credit rating?

Register and either don't vote or vote by spoiling the vote card (these are counted and put on the final results) - just don't moan about your local area if you don't vote

Electoral_Commission

GingerBob wrote: »

When the CRAs receive the full version, will they now also get access to the date of birth and NI number of the voter?

Hi Bob,

Credit Reference Agencies can check the names of those registered to vote at a particular address but they can’t access other information (e.g. NI no.) from the register.

Hope that's helpful.

Thanks,

Electoral Commission