penalty for voter registration

[usemyname]

Is failing to fill in and return a householder enquiry form a criminal penalty or is it a civil penalty (like a parking fine)? Thank you.

[des8]

Hi and welcome

Civil penalty ;http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/...dule/3/enacted

Under the Representation of the People Act 1918 it used to be a criminal fine for not returning the canvass to the relevant officer

[Jinxer]

I wonder how many actually get fined. I've refused to sign mine for the last ten years because they share my information with people I don't want them to.

[MIKE770]

you can make freedom of information act request by e-mail to ministry of justice asking for figures

[usemyname]

Thank you. I was getting confused by these:
- http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/money/m...11364004391204

- https://cornwall-council.custhelp.co...m-%28hef%29%3F

- http://www2.eastriding.gov.uk/counci...nnual-canvass/

the last one seems to have been updated in 2018 so are they mistaken? Thanks again.

[usemyname]

Sorry forgot to mention why I posted the above links. The information in them states that “There is a criminal penalty for failing to provide the information required by the HEF of a maximum of £1,000.”

[MIKE770]

I wonder how many actually get fined. I b was your question, the freedom request will tell you

[des8]

Thank you. I was getting confused by these:
- http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/money/m...11364004391204

- https://cornwall-council.custhelp.co...m-%28hef%29%3F

- http://www2.eastriding.gov.uk/counci...nnual-canvass/

the last one seems to have been updated in 2018 so are they mistaken? Thanks again.

The following is from June 2018 Guidance issued to Electoral Officers (http://www.electoralcommission.org.u...in-2014-15.pdf)

4.64 By law a person who has received a HEF must provide the information that it requires to the ERO, but there is no requirement for the form itself to be returned. This includes where there are changes to the information pre-printed on the HEF or new information is being provided.

4.65 There is a criminal penalty of a fine up to a maximum of £1,000 for failing to provide the information required by the HEF to the ERO.

4.66 The penalty for providing false information to an ERO is up to six months imprisonment, an unlimited fine in England and Wales or a fine of up to £5,000 in Scotland.


The foot note to point 4.65 actually refers to Scotland, so unless someone shows contrary regulations, IMO the penalty is civil not criminal,
and imprisonment is the penalty for providing false information.

But why not just fill in the form?