Frequently Asked Questions - Registration
Typical Questions and Answers
Q Do I have to register?
A YES. The law requires you to register. You can be prosecuted and
fined if you do not register or give false information.
Q Do I have to vote?
A NO. You are not required to vote, although if you do not
vote, you will be missing out on your opportunity to influence the
way in which decisions are made about matters which may concern or
affect you.
Q
The Register of Electors is sold to Companies who then send
me lots of "junk mail". Can I stop this?
A YES. You can write to the Mailing Preference Service (MPS)
at DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS. You can also
register by phone by calling 0845 703 4599 or register
on-line, see under Links below. Registering with MPS is FREE
and will ensure that you do not receive junk mail.
Q The Register of Electors is sold to Companies who
then use it for credit referencing. Can I stop this?
A
NO. Credit Companies are legally entitled to the full
published version of the Register to verify your name and
address, to establish your degree of permanency at that address and
to establish associations with other persons also at that address.
These factors may be taken into account by companies when making a
decision about your credit worthiness.
Q I have suffered domestic violence in the past and
am frightened that my former partner will use the Register to trace
me. Do I have to register?
A YES, though there are provisions for anonymous
registration, but you should contact Electoral Services (01902
696119) for special advice upon this particular problem. This also
applies to persons who feel that the nature of their employment
puts them at risk or danger of reprisal.
Q Can I purchase the electoral
register?
A YES, by law but this is
only the edited register if you are not a “party” who is entitled
by law to have a free copy of the full-published register.
Those “parties” are only entitled to one free copy per year.
Any additional copies have to be purchased. By law anyone who
requests a copy of the edited register can buy a copy. See
fees on the website. On receipt of
payment we shall issue the register. The request should be in
writing or e-mail and the copy will be electronic unless you state
you want a hard copy, which is more expensive.
Q I am a local councillor can a have a
copy of the register?
A YES for the area you
represent you are entitled to one free copy per year of the full
published register. For example if you are a parish councillor for
a warded parish you are only entitled to the register for that
parish ward. Additional copies have to be purchased. The
Electoral Office keeps a record of who has had what register each
year.
Q Can you confirm to me that I am on
the register?
A YES, we can confirm to the
elector only that you are registered at the address you give
us. We shall ask questions to establish that you are that
person.
Q Can you tell me whether a person is
registered in your area?
A NO – we only do
confirmations and do not offer a search facility. See our
policy of what we do.
Q I shall be away on polling day how
can I still vote?
A YES, but only if you
complete a postal or proxy vote application and submit in
accordance with the legal timetable. All postal and proxy
vote applications are acknowledged and your postal vote will be
sent at the earliest opportunity after the close of the postal vote
deadline approx two weeks before polling day.
You can have either a temporary or permanent
postal or proxy vote. Postal voters already on the register are
sent a postal poll card about three-weeks before polling day
reminding them of this facility and how to cancel it if they so
wish.
If you appoint a proxy your proxy will be sent
a proxy poll card letter approximately one week before polling day
telling them to take the letter to the polling station detailed and
they will be able to vote on the elector’s behalf.
Q I have
power of attorney for my relative so can I sign the postal or proxy
application on their behalf?
A NO – power of
attorney does not apply to electoral matters. You should
request a waiver postal or proxy form where disability is given as
a reason for not being able to sign an application.
Links
Anonymous Registration
External Link: Mailing Preference
Scheme
Contact
Phil Hardy
Electoral & Concessionary Services
Manager
Telephone Helpline - :(01902) 696121
or write to
Phil Hardy
Electoral & Concessionary Services Manager
South Staffordshire Council
Council Offices
Codsall
WV8 1PX