not to want so many personal details to appear on the Electoral Roll?

[Mellowfruitfulness]

I got a big shock when I came across this:
www.192.com/people/electoral-roll/?gkw=2011+electoral+roll

Couldn't believe that all the following data on me and my family could be available to anyone who wants it:
Full names
Detailed addresses
Likely age
Length of residency
Other household occupants
Previous household occupants
Neighbour's details

Neighbours' details, fgs! Why?

Even though I realise that anyone could find out things about me by looking up my neighbours' details, I would still like to get myself taken off. However, I can't find out how. Any ideas?

You tick a box somewhere on the form that says something like 'I do not wish to be included in the edited electoral role' - sorry can't remember exactly.

The edited version is public.... could have got muddled, but there is definitely a tick box somewhere!

You have to "opt out" of the edited Electoral Roll.

Xpost!

You need to remove your details from the edited electoral register. It is the edited version that is for sale, the full one is only used for the purpose that it is actually produced.

X post too!

You can have your details removed from the edited version which is what companies and people can buy. u have to contact the electoral registration dept of yur local council. When they send out the forms to check if the details of residents are correct there is an option on there to opt out of edited electoral roll which is what we have done.

x post too

sorry but most of it is a legal requirement....COUNCILS ARE SAID TO SELL PEOPLES DETAILS NOT VERY NICE, EH?

Thank you for your help.

So as far as I understand it, if you haven't ticked the box on your census you will appear on the edited electoral roll. But I had no idea the edited electoral roll would have so much information on it.

AIBU to be angry that this wasn't made more explicit? I assumed that the edited electoral roll would only contain the names and addresses of people who wanted to be on it (eg when you opt to be ex-directory, no-one can get your phone number).

I'm really uneasy about the fact that it doesn't even have to be what I say about myself - what my neighbours say about me is there, even if I have opted out.

But the worse thing is some strangers selling my information off to anyone who wants it. What is the information on the edited electoral roll used for? I don't mean to be paranoid, but there are lots of people who don't want to be traced by ex-partners etc for very good reasons.

Can you get hold of the edited electoral roll under the FOI Act without having to pay for it? Can you get a look at your own details that are on it, even if you have opted out, without having to pay for it??

Inchoccyheaven, when do they send out the forms to check if the details of residents are correct? Do you mean the census? Or is that something they do if you ask for someone's details from the edited roll?

IME they word the form deliberately badly to confuse people into not knowing whether to tick the box or not, therefore they make extra cash out of selling the details. I have been meaning to have a whinge to the council about it each time the forms come round.

The Edited version is the one everyone can see with all your info.

Why they don't call it the Public version is beyond me .

Councils send out forms at intervals to check that the electoral role details that they hold are correct. There is a box on it to tick if you dont want your details to appear.

I didnt think that the census had anything to do with it.

"I'm really uneasy about the fact that it doesn't even have to be what I say about myself - what my neighbours say about me is there, even if I have opted out"

I don't understand this sentence, what have your neighbours got to do with the info you put on a canvass form?

Your neighbours don't say anything about you - do you remember entering details of your neighbours at the last canvass? All that is on the electoral roll is what you enter on it - the names of anyone entitled to vote, if there are 16-18 year olds or over 70s and nationality. I believe 192 combines other information on it's website.

If you want to know what's on the edited register visit the main library in your area. It is listed by address so it's impossible to find anyone unless you know where they live or have a fairly good idea.

I think I'm confused. I thought that the info on the edited electoral roll came from the census. But, in the light of your comments, I realise that it comes from the electoral roll letter we got before the elections. The clue's in the name, I suppose!

But how did they get so much info from that? AFAI remember it only had names on it. I probably am too quick to jump at things like this, but it's a particular bee in my bonnet, I'm afraid. All this selling of personal info (eg store cards etc) makes me feel as if I live in the sort of village where everyone knows you, but with the one important difference being that you don't know them ...

So, Tyler, I think the neighbours' info must just be what you get if you type their names in?

Thank you, Confuddled. I shall do that.

And thanks for the link, Catz.

The information on the register comes from the canvass, the form you have to sign around October each year. I think 192 is combining it with other information, such as the telephone directory and the information about who your neighbours are is just stuff they're putting in themselves.

Mellow I see your qs have already been answered :)

Thanks Inchoccyheaven.