Automatic Electoral Roll re-registration opts-in to Open Register!

Mr_Crunch

Beware of potential Junk Mail unless you take action to opt-out of the Open Register:

I recently had a letter from the Electoral Registration Officer about Automatic re-registration on the Electoral Roll, and it was ambiguous concerning the Open Register, which I had previously always opted-out of, to avoid junk mail etc.

So just to be certain, I specifically requested that I should not be on the Open Register, and have just had a letter confirming that I will not be on the Open Register from 1st Oct.

It seems that by default, automatic re-registration opts you in to the Open Register even if previously you were opted-out!

lincroft1710

Being opted out of the Open Register will only reduce the amount of junk mail, your name/address is probably known to many companies/organisations already.

Aquamania

Mr_Crunch wrote: »

Beware of potential Junk Mail unless you take action to opt-out of the Open Register:

I recently had a letter from the Electoral Registration Officer about Automatic re-registration on the Electoral Roll, and it was ambiguous concerning the Open Register, which I had previously always opted-out of, to avoid junk mail etc.

So just to be certain, I specifically requested that I should not be on the Open Register, and have just had a letter confirming that I will not be on the Open Register from 1st Oct.

It seems that by default, automatic re-registration opts you in to the Open Register even if previously you were opted-out!

Not sure what this has got to do with Consumer Rights.

Anyway, if you were previously opted out (and you not asked to change that) you will still be opted out.

Yes the letter is ambiguous, but this has been discussed on the BBC

Mr_Crunch

Aquamania wrote: »

Not sure what this has got to do with Consumer Rights.

Anyway, if you were previously opted out (and you not asked to change that) you will still be opted out.

Yes the letter is ambiguous, but this has been discussed on the BBC

I could not find where else to post it, so I thought that 'Consumer Rights' was closest. MSE does not seem to have a junk mail thread.

If you had properly read what I posted, it is quite clear that I was previously opted out, but automatic re-registration did not preserve that, so I was not then opted-out, so had to request that again. That will apply to anyone else.

I am so sorry that I tried to be helpful, it is obviously not appreciated. MSE seems to have too many participants who.just snipe for the sake of it nowadays.

frugal_mike

I was previously opted out. My recent letter from the council was reasonably clear that I was still opted out. It didn't automatically add me.

peachyprice

Mr_Crunch wrote: »

If you had properly read what I posted, it is quite clear that I was previously opted out, but automatic re-registration did not preserve that, so I was not then opted-out, so had to request that again. That will apply to anyone else.

No, it doesn't. The letter I received quite clearly stated that if you were opted out you would remain opted out.

Perhaps your council worded their letter particularly poorly, but automatic opt in is not the default.

shaun_from_Africa

Some councils do automatically enter you into the open electoral register unless you contact them each year and specifically state that you wish to opt out of this register.
My local council (Tandridge district council) does this and Mr_Crunch may well have the same with their council.

Aquamania

peachyprice wrote: »

No, it doesn't. The letter I received quite clearly stated that if you were opted out you would remain opted out.

Perhaps your council worded their letter particularly poorly, but automatic opt in is not the default.

All councils use the same standard wording.

The letter is considered by some to be ambiguous because despite it saying

"Your details are not on the open register."

(assuming you previously opted out) under the section headed "You don't need to do anything else"

The letter later says under the section titled "The open register" which is a common section whether or not you previously opted in:

"Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed"

But because you previously asked for them to be removed (and haven't changed that request), then they will not be included.

Aquamania

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Some councils do automatically enter you into the open electoral register unless you contact them each year and specifically state that you wish to opt out of this register.
My local council (Tandridge district council) does this and Mr_Crunch may well have the same with their council.

I can't comment on how your council acts.
I know in past years our council have changed the system. Initially they carried over from year to year your previous wishes. Then someone (I think quoting some EU edict) told them that was illegal so they made you declare each year your wishes (or you would be opted in)
But this year with the changes to the voter registration system, our council have gone back to carrying over the previous data, so allowing them to declare You don't need to do anything else

However, if your council does insist on opting you in every year despite your previous wishes, you can amend this by giving them notice under Section 11 of the Data Protection Act 1998

http://www.bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/home/2013/09/permanently-opt-out-of-the-edited-electoral-roll.html


Edit: Actually your council even gives this advice on their website and even gives a form for you to complete to be opted out permanently (until further notice by you)

http://www.tandridge.gov.uk/Tandridge%20District%20Council/Elections/NoticeundertheDataProtectionAct1998OptOut2.pdf

shaun_from_Africa

I sent them a DPA request a few weeks ago.