Overview

This bill aims to prevent individuals from registering to vote in UK parliamentary elections at more than one address. It mandates the Secretary of State to create regulations ensuring electoral registration officers verify addresses and prevent duplicate registrations.

Description

The Voter Registration (No. 2) Bill makes it illegal to be registered to vote in a UK parliamentary election at more than one address. The Secretary of State is required to issue regulations that:

• Direct electoral registration officers to check if applicants are already registered elsewhere.
• Require officers to inform applicants already registered at another address that they can only register at one address.
• Require applicants to choose one address to be registered at and for the other to be removed.
• Prevent the registration of a second address if an applicant chooses to keep their existing registration.

The bill defines "electoral registration officer" and "Parliamentary election" according to existing legislation (Representation of the People Act 1983 and Interpretation Act 1978, respectively). It applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and comes into effect upon receiving Royal Assent.

Government Spending

The bill is unlikely to significantly increase or decrease government spending. The costs associated with implementing the new regulations and any potential challenges to their implementation would need to be considered. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Electoral Registration Officers: Will have new responsibilities for verifying addresses and managing duplicate registrations.
• Voters: Will be directly affected by the prohibition on registering at multiple addresses. Those currently registered at more than one address will need to choose a single address.
• Political Parties: May need to adapt their voter registration strategies.

Powered by nyModel