What is the difference between the full register and the edited register?

Until December 2002 there was only one version of the Register of Electors. It was available for anybody to inspect and to buy. After high profile court cases which revolved around data protection and privacy issues, new regulations appeared in 2002 which introduced the idea of two versions of the register. The “FULL” version was the same as the previous register, listing all those eligible to vote during the liftetime of the register. However, the regulations also tightly defined who could receive a copy (mainly political groups and credit agencies) and the lawful purposes for which it can be used. It is still open to inspection on request, but only under supervision to prevent electronic records being made from the data.

The “EDITED” register only contains the names of those people who do not “opt out” of the edited register by ticking a box on their annual canvass form or claim form. This edited register can be bought by anybody, and it can be used for any purpose. A form is available to “opt out” of having your name on the edited register during the year if you did not mark it on the canvass form.