I don't want to register to vote

[SweetPea1993]

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!

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

Just don't register unless you really want to vote?

From the Gov.uk website:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/663e1d2d993111924d9d327f/PF_ITR-A-E-C_acc.pdf

You can be fined for not registering to vote, but she can register to vote anonymously as per the info above.

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

You do have to register:

https://www.gov.uk/electoral-register

Thanks i've read this.

I don't have any court documents or police reports as documents.

I was more asking for people who have just avoided registering or select the 'second home' option.

I've read 15% of the population is currently unregistered. So clearly most people are not getting fined.

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

Do you own the family home?

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?

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?

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."

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

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

They just ignore the reminders.

They've never been prosecuted.

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.