By law your local authority has to make the electoral register available for anyone to look at. The register is held at the local electoral registration office and some public buildings, such as libraries. Until recently, any company, organisation or person could buy a copy of the register. The government has now changed the law so that every individual has some choice about who can buy details of your name and address. Under the changes there are now two versions of the register: the full version and the edited version. When you complete your electoral registration form each October you will be able to choose whether you want your details included on the edited register. The full register has the names and addresses of everyone registered to vote. 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 prevent money laundering.



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