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I don't want to register to vote

32 replies

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 17:30

I have an ex partner who is unpleasant and obsessive. He harassed me for a period of time after we split.

I have moved home now to a new block of flats and am taking steps to keep my whereabouts as private as possible in case he tries to find me.

I've looked into registering to vote anonymously but without any police reports it seems like quite a hard thing to do.

Even not being on the open register seems risky as the info is passed to certain third parties and your name and address can be looked up from the hard copy in the local library.

I may just return the 'register to vote form' with a X on the 'nobody here is eligible to vote' and then select the 'second home' option. My parents home is nearby and If asked I will say I thought I was registered there - as I do spend a significant amount of time there anywhere. However i've not actually registered there yet and would just prefer not to register anywhere.

Or I could just ignore the letter. I live in a block of flats so it's not like they can ever catch me in person.

My question is would the electoral office stop contacting me once I select the 'second home' box or will they continue to contact me?

At the end of the day I do have a legitimate need for privacy and I'd rather keep safe and keep my peace of mind.

Anyone been in a similar situation?

Thanks!

OP posts:
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LauraNorda · 05/11/2024 15:41

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 20:42

Do the council not grab your details from the council tax records? Sounds like a good idea to just ignore them then. I live in a flat so it's not like they can just knock on the front door anyway!

The people who pay council tax are not necessarily the ones living at the address. They cannot just assume.

MartinCrieffsLemon · 04/11/2024 21:46

Brefugee · 04/11/2024 18:52

because it is our civic duty to vote

We have the CHOICE to vote or not
The consequences of not voting are having no leg to stand on if you disagree with the state of politics.

But no one has a DUTY to vote

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 20:42

LauraNorda · 04/11/2024 18:51

We haven't been on the electoral roll for over 25 years. You get a few letters that you can just shred. Sometimes a bloke will turn up at the door. We don't answer the door to anyone we are not expecting so he just shoves yet another letter through the door and into the shredder. If you do answer, don't give your name and just take the letter from him. If they don't have your name, there is sod all they can do. They can't take 'The Occupier' to court.

Despite not being registered to vote, I had no bother getting a mortgage so don't worry too much about the banking side of things.

Do the council not grab your details from the council tax records? Sounds like a good idea to just ignore them then. I live in a flat so it's not like they can just knock on the front door anyway!

OP posts:
Batmanisaplaceinturkey · 04/11/2024 20:06

LauraNorda · 04/11/2024 18:51

We haven't been on the electoral roll for over 25 years. You get a few letters that you can just shred. Sometimes a bloke will turn up at the door. We don't answer the door to anyone we are not expecting so he just shoves yet another letter through the door and into the shredder. If you do answer, don't give your name and just take the letter from him. If they don't have your name, there is sod all they can do. They can't take 'The Occupier' to court.

Despite not being registered to vote, I had no bother getting a mortgage so don't worry too much about the banking side of things.

Can't they find your name from your council tax records?

ronswansonstache · 04/11/2024 20:04

OP if you wish to vote I'd strongly recommend what PPs have said and contact your local election office. I have been a poll clerk on a number of occasions and people do vote anonymously with just an electoral number and no name listed. For people fleeing domestic violence, care leavers, VIPs etc. there is definitely a mechanism to support this.

Brefugee · 04/11/2024 18:52

MartinCrieffsLemon · 04/11/2024 17:42

If this is the case why are there always so many reminders to register before an election?

I thought you didn't have to register

because it is our civic duty to vote

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 18:51

itsmylife7 · 04/11/2024 18:47

I know four people who've never registered to vote.

They just ignore the reminders.

They've never been prosecuted.

Haha this was my original plan. Just ignore and see what happens. I don't see how they can prove you have received the letters especially when you live in a flat with shared post.

OP posts:
LauraNorda · 04/11/2024 18:51

We haven't been on the electoral roll for over 25 years. You get a few letters that you can just shred. Sometimes a bloke will turn up at the door. We don't answer the door to anyone we are not expecting so he just shoves yet another letter through the door and into the shredder. If you do answer, don't give your name and just take the letter from him. If they don't have your name, there is sod all they can do. They can't take 'The Occupier' to court.

Despite not being registered to vote, I had no bother getting a mortgage so don't worry too much about the banking side of things.

itsmylife7 · 04/11/2024 18:47

I know four people who've never registered to vote.

They just ignore the reminders.

They've never been prosecuted.

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 18:44

noctilucentcloud · 04/11/2024 18:42

Yes the advice on the womens aid site says about the type of documents you mention OP but also the option of an attestment which someone like a GP or refuge worker (amongst others) can sign. So maybe this is a route for you OP?

Yes maybe, I actually know a few medics who would attest for me so that could work.

OP posts:
Oldnproud · 04/11/2024 18:44

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 17:51

Well I wouldn't be lying because I do have another residence in electoral law - the family home where I spend half my time just 2km away. So it is technically a second home of mine

Unless you are recorded on the electoral register as living at your parents house,
your argument for not registering at your actual residence would presumably fail at that first hurdle anyway.

noctilucentcloud · 04/11/2024 18:42

Dotto · 04/11/2024 17:37

Women's Aid have advice online about how to register as an Anonymous Voter

Yes the advice on the womens aid site says about the type of documents you mention OP but also the option of an attestment which someone like a GP or refuge worker (amongst others) can sign. So maybe this is a route for you OP?

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 18:41

unsync · 04/11/2024 18:34

Speak to your LA Election Services dept. They are usually very helpful. You cannot be the first person to find themselves in this position.

Thanks for your help. I will be doing this :) It's given me some confidence to engage with them.

OP posts:
unsync · 04/11/2024 18:34

Speak to your LA Election Services dept. They are usually very helpful. You cannot be the first person to find themselves in this position.

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 18:34

DonnaBanana · 04/11/2024 18:22

You have to be registered in order to be selected for jury duty. It can also make it very tough to get credit and banking services if you’re not.

I have an illness so I am ineligible for jury duty and also do not use any type of credit. I rent and have a low income, and have a lifetime tenancy. Don't foresee needing to get any credit in the future.

OP posts:
DonnaBanana · 04/11/2024 18:22

You have to be registered in order to be selected for jury duty. It can also make it very tough to get credit and banking services if you’re not.

cortex10 · 04/11/2024 18:11

If you select the second home option that may have council tax implications (elections and council tax teams periodically cross check records)

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 18:06

Cockerpooslave · 04/11/2024 18:01

No, your parents’ home is their home that you visit. I used to be a lawyer in local government and every year we prosecuted people who had persistently refused to register to vote, so I wouldn’t suggest you try and play clever on (incorrect) technicalities- speak to women’s aid or the local authority, they can help.

Edited

Ownership is not the defining factor. If someone spends a large amount of time somewhere they can claim residency. Same way a student can be resident in both homes too. I have a chronic illness and regularly spend time at my parents home and receive care off them too.

OP posts:
Cockerpooslave · 04/11/2024 18:01

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 17:51

Well I wouldn't be lying because I do have another residence in electoral law - the family home where I spend half my time just 2km away. So it is technically a second home of mine

No, your parents’ home is their home that you visit. I used to be a lawyer in local government and every year we prosecuted people who had persistently refused to register to vote, so I wouldn’t suggest you try and play clever on (incorrect) technicalities- speak to women’s aid or the local authority, they can help.

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 17:57

Scutterbug · 04/11/2024 17:53

Do you own the family home?

I don't own any properties.

Residence is defined differently for electoral law.

"If you split your time between two homes, you may be able to register to vote at both addresses. For example, you might own two properties and split your time between them, or you might spend time at different family addresses."

OP posts:
MartinCrieffsLemon · 04/11/2024 17:56

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 17:51

Well I wouldn't be lying because I do have another residence in electoral law - the family home where I spend half my time just 2km away. So it is technically a second home of mine

Do you LIVE there half the time, such a sleeping and leaving possessions there? Or do you just visit a lot and then go home?

mimbleandlittlemy · 04/11/2024 17:55

You are right that you probably won't be fined, but it can affect your credit score which is one of the downsides to not being on it. Might it be worth talking to your local electoral officer about doing an attestation?

Scutterbug · 04/11/2024 17:53

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 17:51

Well I wouldn't be lying because I do have another residence in electoral law - the family home where I spend half my time just 2km away. So it is technically a second home of mine

Do you own the family home?

SweetPea1993 · 04/11/2024 17:51

MartinCrieffsLemon · 04/11/2024 17:48

Lying about it being a 2nd home would also be illegal

Removing yourself from the open register would make it much harder to track

Well I wouldn't be lying because I do have another residence in electoral law - the family home where I spend half my time just 2km away. So it is technically a second home of mine

OP posts:
MartinCrieffsLemon · 04/11/2024 17:48

Lying about it being a 2nd home would also be illegal

Removing yourself from the open register would make it much harder to track