The full register
The full register has the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote and is updated every month.
- you do not have a choice about your name and address being on this register
- anyone can look at it, but copies can only be supplied for certain purposes, such as elections and law enforcement
- credit reference agencies are also allowed to use the full register, but only to check your name and address if you are applying for credit, and to help stop ‘money laundering’
- anyone who has a copy of the register will be committing a criminal offence if they unlawfully pass on information from it
The open register
The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details.
Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.
Viewing current electoral registers
The current edition of the full and open registers is available for inspection at the Civic Centre.
- appointments are not necessary to view the open Register
- if you want to view the full version of the register, please contact the Electoral Office on 01702 215010
- all viewings of the full register will be supervised
- electronic copying of the full register is prohibited, however hand written notes are permitted
Viewing full electoral registers over 10 years old
Southend Library at The Forum holds copies of the register from 1949 to current. Anyone requiring access to these registers should contact the library on 01702 215011.
The library can supply, under certain circumstances, a copy of, or disclose information contained in a register, that is more than 10 years old.
The supply or disclosure must be for research purposed only and must meet the following conditions:
- “research purposes” includes statistical or historical purposes
- “the relevant conditions”, in relation to any processing of personal data, means:
(a) That the data are not processed to support measures or decisions with respect to particular individuals, and
(b) That the data are not processed in such a way that substantial damage or substantial distress is, or is likely to be, caused to any data subject
Any person who takes a copy of such a document must be given a copy of these restrictions.
Breach of the conditions is a criminal offence.
Viewing full electoral registers under 10 years old
The library can provide access to the full register of electors under the following conditions:
- all viewings of the full register will be supervised
- electronic copying of the full register is prohibited, however hand written notes are permitted
Please see the Representation of the People Regulations 2001, regulation 109A for further information on the supply of the full register of electors.
Offences
Anyone who contravenes the regulation 109A is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding Level 5 on the standard scale.
For further information on offences, please see Representation of the People Regulations 2001, regulation 115.