Electoral registers

Overview

Using information received from the public, registration officers keep two registers:

  • the electoral register
  • the open register (also known as the edited register)

The electoral register

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections.

The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote.

It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as:

  • detecting crime, for example fraud
  • calling people for jury service
  • checking credit applications

The open register

The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections.

It can be bought by any person, company or organisation.

For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details.

Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed.

Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.

If you would like to remove your name from the open register, please call 0191 427 7000 or email elections@southtyneside.gov.uk stating your name, full address and you want your name to be taken off the edited register. You will receive a letter to tell you that your details have been removed.

Credit reference agencies and the electoral register

Credit reference agencies can buy copies of the full register of electors. 

The information is marked to show who has opted out of the open register, and who is happy to have their details passed on to a third party.  

How credit reference agencies use this information

The agencies use this information if you are applying for credit or to confirm your name and address when you want to open a bank account.

They do not directly access the information held on our register of electors. They purchase the data and update their own systems, it can therefore take them some time to update their records. 

If you have had a credit application rejected because a credit reference agency says that you are not on the electoral register:

  • contact the Elections team by emailing elections@southtyneside.gov.uk or phone our Customer Contact Centre on 0191 427 7000 to see if you are on the current electoral register
  • If you are registered to vote, contact the appropriate credit reference agency

If you are not registered to vote, see Register to vote.

Below is a list of credit reference agencies who currently buy a copy of the full register of electors for South Tyneside: