Why was I sent a letter after my 17th birthday ordering me to register to vote?

This happened seven months ago but I am still somewhat confused by this. I understand that compulsory registration plays an important role in combatting electoral fraud, but I wonder if the letter was sent by mistake as the voting age is 18 and I'm currently 17.It also threatened me with an eighty pound fine if I didn't register, which is absurd as I'm a full time secondary school student meaning that I'm not even earning any money yet.

Reply 1

claireestelle

22

Original post by Palette

This happened seven months ago but I am still somewhat confused by this. I understand that compulsory registration plays an important role in combatting electoral fraud, but I wonder if the letter was sent by mistake as the voting age is 18 and I'm currently 17.It also threatened me with an eighty pound fine if I didn't register, which is absurd as I'm a full time secondary school student meaning that I'm not even earning any money yet.

No, if i remember correctly i signed to add my name at 16. By not registering you end up doing your credit rating harm so why not do it :smile:

Reply 2

Gogregg

14

I had a letter making me register to vote when I turned 16. I ignored it several times until about 5 months later when I realised that the letter said that they would fine me if I didn't register :lol:

In that process of registering, I realised I didn't know my NI number, had to get that sent to me again because I must have thrown away the letter without really looking at it because I didn't think it was important :rolleyes:

I then had to register, without my NI number, then I got a letter just asking for my NI number, then another asking me to register. Again.
:lol:

Reply 3

Palette

OP

14

Original post by claireestelle

No, if i remember correctly i signed to add my name at 16. By not registering you end up doing your credit rating harm so why not do it :smile:

I'm still confused as to why they make you do it at 16/17 when the voting age is 18.

Reply 4

claireestelle

22

Original post by Palette

I'm still confused as to why they make you do it at 16/17 when the voting age is 18.

So that people get it sorted in plenty of time.

Reply 5

Platopus

19

Original post by Palette

This happened seven months ago but I am still somewhat confused by this. I understand that compulsory registration plays an important role in combatting electoral fraud, but I wonder if the letter was sent by mistake as the voting age is 18 and I'm currently 17.It also threatened me with an eighty pound fine if I didn't register, which is absurd as I'm a full time secondary school student meaning that I'm not even earning any money yet.

Original post by claireestelle

So that people get it sorted in plenty of time.

This is correct. You can register to vote before turning 18. However, you will not be able to actually vote until you are 18. I was also 16 when I registered.

Reply 6

username1661963

12

Original post by claireestelle

No, if i remember correctly i signed to add my name at 16. By not registering you end up doing your credit rating harm so why not do it :smile:

It affects your credit rating?!? :afraid:

Reply 7

claireestelle

22

Original post by adesola15

It affects your credit rating?!? :afraid:

Well it's supposedly not good for getting credit if you aren't on the electoral roll

Reply 8

username2324383

3

Original post by Gogregg

I had a letter making me register to vote when I turned 16. I ignored it several times until about 5 months later when I realised that the letter said that they would fine me if I didn't register :lol:

In that process of registering, I realised I didn't know my NI number, had to get that sent to me again because I must have thrown away the letter without really looking at it because I didn't think it was important :rolleyes:

I then had to register, without my NI number, then I got a letter just asking for my NI number, then another asking me to register. Again.
:lol:

What has your national insurance number have to do with voting? It's used for when you get a job or claim benefits etc. I never got a letter forcing me to register. I voluntarily registered but I've never voted so it was pointless. The fine thing must be new or a scam (phone the number on the letter to make sure it's legit or not)

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 9

Doones

21

Original post by samzy21

The fine thing must be new or a scam (phone the number on the letter to make sure it's legit or not)

Posted from TSR Mobile

It's not new. And it's not a scam.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18179075

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 10

Palette

OP

14

Original post by jneill

It's not new. And it's not a scam.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18179075

Posted from TSR Mobile

I'm 17 and I'm not earning any money yet. Had I decided to be foolish and ignored the letter, who would have paid the fine? I'm just talking about hypothetical scenarios here; I did indeed register.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 11

rainbow.panda

17

I'm confused. I don't remember getting asked to register to vote until I was 18 and I certainly don't remember being threatened with a fine if I didn't. That was 2011 though if something has changed since. If registering to vote is compulsory, then how come so many hadn't before the referendum vote?

Reply 12

Doones

21

Original post by Palette

I'm 17 and I'm not earning any money yet. Had I decided to be foolish and ignored the letter, who would have paid the fine? I'm just talking about hypothetical scenarios here; I did indeed register.

You would. Same as if you were a driver and get a speeding ticket. U18s aren't immune...

Reply 13

Gogregg

14

Original post by samzy21

What has your national insurance number have to do with voting? It's used for when you get a job or claim benefits etc. I never got a letter forcing me to register. I voluntarily registered but I've never voted so it was pointless. The fine thing must be new or a scam (phone the number on the letter to make sure it's legit or not)

Posted from TSR Mobile

No, it was definitely legit :h:

Reply 14

Theplace

10

Original post by Palette

This happened seven months ago but I am still somewhat confused by this. I understand that compulsory registration plays an important role in combatting electoral fraud, but I wonder if the letter was sent by mistake as the voting age is 18 and I'm currently 17.It also threatened me with an eighty pound fine if I didn't register, which is absurd as I'm a full time secondary school student meaning that I'm not even earning any money yet.

Rhe law does not care how much you are earning,
If you parked in a yellow line, you can't say I don't earn enough to pay...lol
It's the law to register to vote....whether you vote of not is your prerogative.

Reply 15

Theplace

10

Original post by Gogregg

No, it was definitely legit :h:

Of course it is legit....you don't just register to vote the day you turn 18, suppose there is an election that day.

Reply 16

Studentus-anonymous

12

They force you to register to vote so they can track you down more easily if they decide you owe them money.

]Outside of elections the voter registry is a nice debt-chasing tool.

As an example on the run up to the Scottish independence referendum, tons of Scots registered to vote or updated their information, and found themselves chased for fines/debts.

Reply 17

Doones

21

Original post by Studentus-anonymous

They force you to register to vote so they can track you down more easily if they decide you owe them money.

]Outside of elections the voter registry is a nice debt-chasing tool.

As an example on the run up to the Scottish independence referendum, tons of Scots registered to vote or updated their information, and found themselves chased for fines/debts.

That they had incurred and therefore should pay...

Reply 18

Palette

OP

14

Original post by jneill

That they had incurred and therefore should pay...

If voter registration is compulsory, where do the news stories about 'last minute rushes from younger voter to vote for the EU referendum' come from? They wouldn't have rushed it if they were sent letters before they turned 18 ordering them to register to vote (like I was).