Harrogate Borough Council

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Peter Jordan, Head of Legal and Democratic Services for the council explained some of the myths around registering to vote. 

 

He said:  "Many people think that because they pay council tax that they are automatically registered to vote.  That is not the case.  Also people worry that their details will be 'sold' to commercial companies.  That is also not the case.  Since 2002, there have been two versions of the Electoral Roll, the full and the edited.  You cannot opt out of the full register but you can ask that your details do not appear in the edited version, which is the only one which can be made available for purchase.

 

"The Government has mounted a major publicity campaign this year to draw people's attention to the fact that if they are not on the register they can't vote. We get many angry and upset people contacting us when it is too late for them to register in time to be able to vote in the next election.  So I would urge anyone who thinks they may not be registered to get in touch so that we can get them on the Electoral Roll and get them a vote in May."

 

Students can lawfully register at both their term time address and another address they are resident at outside of term time.  But, of course, just like everyone else they can only vote once.  To try to vote more than once in one election can lead to a fine of up to £5,000.

 

There are 19 seats up for re-election and one bye election to fill a vacancy at Marston Moor the full list is attached for information.  ENDS