Ticking the box

You probably have received the form through the door to re-register as an elector. For those of you who vote (and a large number don't - I wonder why?) its worth filling in. And now you can confirm your details by phone and online - so long as your details have not changed or "if you wish to change the ticks in the edited register column".

Er?

Well it turns out I have registered not to appear in the edited register. A quick check at
http://www.york.gov.uk/elections/register.html revealed

The (City of York) council makes and keeps two versions of the register of electors - the full register, and the edited register.

The edited register can be bought by anyone, and they may use it for any purpose. However, electors can choose to have their name and address removed from the edited register.

The full register lists everyone who is entitled to vote in elections. It can only be seen on request at the council offices.

By law, the full register is only available to certain people and organisations and can only be used for specified purposes. These include electoral purposes, the prevention and detection of crime and checking identities for credit applications. It is a criminal offence for it to be used for any other purpose.

Anyone inspecting the register may only make a hand written copy of the extract they are inspecting.

Well I will continue not to allow my name and address to be sold to anyone. Mind you, that doesn't explain why a credit reference agency was unable to find any reference to me on the register since I have lived in York.

Makes you trust the whole system doesn't it.