UK households could face an £80 fine for a General Election mistake, even if they don’t plan to vote. The election is scheduled for July 4, with the Conservative Party and Labour Party competing as Sir Keir Starmer faces off against Rishi Sunak.
Residents may be fined £80 for not registering, regardless of their voting intentions. Local authorities and councils will contact constituents to confirm their details or add their names to the electoral register.
According to election regulations, if you receive a letter or a visit from an electoral registration officer, you must provide the requested information, or you could be fined up to £1,000. Regulation 23 of the Representation of the People Regulations 2001 states that: “A registration officer may require any person to give information required for the purposes of that officer’s duties in maintaining registers of electors.”
This regulation has come to light as TV debates are in full swing, with the Tories trailing behind Labour and now even Reform in the polls.
Legal expert Adam Pope from Spencer Churchill Claims Advice emphasized the importance of understanding how to vote and meeting deadlines. He noted that up to 8 million people in the UK might not be correctly registered at their current address, potentially excluding them from voting.
“While voting is voluntary, failing to register without a valid reason can result in an £80 fine. Voters have several options to cast their ballots, including in person, by post, or through a proxy. It’s crucial to adhere to the application deadlines, as registration must be completed 12 working days before polling day,” Pope said.