Using the electoral register and lists of absent voters
Access by constituency and individual regional candidates
Constituency candidates and individual regional candidates are entitled to receive a copy of the electoral register and lists of absent voters once they officially become a candidate.1
Constituency candidates are entitled to copies covering the constituency they are standing in.
Individual regional candidates are entitled to copies for the region.
Access by party lists
The election agent of a registered political party that has submitted a list of candidates to the Regional Returning Officer is entitled to a copy of the electoral register and lists of absent voters for the region. The register and lists can only be supplied to the election agent after the party has submitted a list of candidates.
Registered political parties are, however, entitled to obtain and use the electoral register and lists of absent voters at any time for electoral purposes and, in the case of the register, the checking of donations.
There are two registers
Using information received from the public, registration officers keep two registers.
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 (e.g. 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. Electors can request not to have their name and address included in the open register.