If you are eligible and registered to vote, your full name and address will appear on the electoral roll. This roll is available for anyone to read, provided they buy a copy, and it is often used for commercial purposes, address verification, and marketing.
In general, you do not have a legal right to stay off the full electoral register. In fact, failing to register when contacted by an Electoral Registration Officer is punishable with a fine. However, if you do not want your information available publicly, you have some options.
Two Types of Register
There are two kinds of registers in the UK: the open and the full register. Although the information on both is the same, the difference lies in how they are accessed.
Access to the full register is strictly protected by law and is available only for elections, jury summons, credit checks, and crime prevention. Members of the public can view it, but only under supervision, and taking copies is forbidden.
Opting Out of the Open Register
The open register can be bought by any individual, business, or market company. The difference is that if you opt out of the open register, your name will not appear on it.
You must appear on the full register by law, but you do have an option to opt out of the open register. There are a couple of ways to do this. The first is to contact your local council's electoral team by phone or email. Give them your full name and address, and tell them you wish to be removed from the open register.
Alternatively, you can do this online by visiting the Register to Vote service and going through the steps to update your details. When prompted, check the box which says you wish to opt out of the open register.
Important Limitations
It is important to know that this will only apply to future editions. Copies of the register which have already been bought cannot be opened or recalled. You also cannot opt out for any other person — you can only remove your own details.
