Who is the Data Controller for the information I provide?
The Electoral Registration Officer is the Data Controller for Electoral Registration at Wirral Council.
Why are we collecting your data?
The Electoral Registration Officer is a data controller of this information and collects the personal data you provide for the purpose of registering your right to vote. You need to be registered to be able to vote in any election or referendum for which you are eligible. We have a duty to maintain a complete and accurate register throughout the year. We will only collect the personal data we need from you, in order to do this.
The information contained on the electoral register will also be used to carry out an annual electoral canvass which the Electoral Registration Officer is required to do by law.
What is the legal process for collecting this data?
We do this as a legal obligation to comply with the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 and the Representation of the People Regulations 2001. This ensures you are registered to vote in any election or referendum for which you are eligible. The law makes it compulsory to
provide information to an Electoral Registration Officer for inclusion in the full register.
We keep records about potential and actual electors, voters, citizens, candidates and their agents and staff employed at elections. These may be written down, or kept on a computer.
These records may include:
- your name, address, nationality and date of birth
- unique identifiers (such as National Insurance Number). Signatures for absent vote checking
- scanned application forms, documentary evidence, dates of any letters of correspondence
- notes about any relevant circumstances that you have told us
- your previous or any redirected address
- the other occupants in your home
- if you are over 76 or under 16/17
- whether you have chosen to opt out of the open version of the register
To verify your identity, the data you provide will be processed by the Individual Electoral Registration Digital Service managed by the Cabinet Office. As part of this process your data will be shared with the Department of Work and Pensions and the Cabinet Office suppliers that are data processors for the Individual Electoral Registration Digital Service. You can find out more information.
The information contained on the electoral register will also be used to produce and send poll cards, postal and proxy poll cards, postal votes, postal proxy votes, Household Enquiry Forms, Invitation to Register applications, attestations, evidence request and absent vote applications.
Do I have to provide this information and what will happen if I don’t?
This information must be supplied to maintain the electoral register and for the purpose of administering an election. Failure to provide the information may result in a fine (upon conviction) of up to £1,000.
Who will your information be shared with?
The information you provide is held in electoral registers which are managed by Electoral Registration Officers who, using information received, keep two registers – the full electoral register and the open (edited) register.
The full 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 full register is published once a year and is updated every month and can only be supplied to the following people and organisations;-
- British Library
- UK Statistics Authority
- Electoral Commission
- Boundary Commission for England
- Jury Summoning Bureau
- Elected Representatives (MP, MEPS, Local Councillors)
- Political Parties
- Registered Third Parties
- Police and Crime Commissioner
- Candidates standing for elections
- The Council
- Parish and Community councils
- Police Forces, National Crime Agency
- Public Library or local authority archive services
- Government departments or bodies
- Credit Reference Agencies
- National Fraud Initiative
- Electoral Registration and Returning Officers
We also have to disclose (share) your information with our Software providers and contracted printers.
We may share your name, email address or mobile telephone number with Government Digital Service and its service providers. They deliver some of the council’s text and email messaging service. We sometimes notify you of information requests or appointment times by text message or email and use this provider to do so.
The open (edited) 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.
Anyone who received information from us has a legal duty to keep it confidential. It is a crime for anyone who has a copy of the full register to pass information from this register on to others, if they do not have a lawful reason to see it.
Anyone can inspect the full electoral register.
Inspection of the register will be under supervision.
They can take extracts from the register, but only by hand written notes.
Information taken must not be used for direct marketing purposes, in accordance with data protection legislation, unless it has been published in the open version.
Anyone who fails to observe these conditions is committing a criminal offence and will be charged a penalty of up to £5,000.
How long will you keep this information for and why?
The Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer are obliged to process your personal data in relation to preparing for and conducting elections. Your details will be kept and updated in accordance with our legal obligations and in line with statutory retention periods.
How will my information be stored?
The information is stored on the Electoral Management System, supplied by Xpress Software Ltd.
Will this information be used to take automated decisions about me?
No.
Will my data be transferred abroad and why?
No.
What rights do I have when it comes to my data?
You are entitled to request a copy of any information about you that we hold. Any such requests must be made in writing.
If the information we hold about you is inaccurate you have a right to have this corrected and you have the right to request completion of incomplete data.
You have the right to request that we stop, or restrict the processing of your personal data, in certain circumstances. Where possible we will seek to comply with your request, but we may be required to hold or process information to comply with a legal requirement.
If you are dissatisfied with how the council has used your personal information you have a right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at:
The Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane, Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone 0303 123 1113 and you can visit their website at https://ico.org.uk/
Contact us
If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use or disclosure of your personal information please contact electoral@wirral.gov.uk
Changes to our Privacy Notice
We regularly review our privacy notice and suggest you check for any changes from time to time. This notice was last reviewed in January 2023.