Naturalization and electoral rgistration

[sme01]

Is there any effect on your naturalization application if you are not on electoral register ?

[LilyLalilu]

Don't think so.

[cs95tdg]

No, there isn't. It's irrelevant.

[Casa]

However BC aside, it is a legal requirement. I believe the fine for non-registry was downgraded in 2015 from £1,000 to something more along the lines of a parking fine.

[secret.simon]

In theory, you can get fined £80 (plus court fees if applicable) if you repeatedly refuse to register as a voter. But that is pretty rare.

And crucially you are only affected if you were asked to provide your details and refused. That typically happens with people who have already registered before and not updated their details. But if you have never registered, you are highly unlikely to be fined.

Electoral registration: Penalties for providing false information or refusing to provide information

[cs95tdg]

Thanks for sharing that; not something that I was aware of. I presume however it would only be applicable to residents who are eligible to vote (e.g. commonwealth) before naturalising.

[secret.simon]

All credit to Casa. I was unaware of this legal requirement too. When she mentioned it, I started researching on it.

it would only be applicable to residents who are eligible to vote (e.g. commonwealth) before naturalising.

Commonwealth and EU citizens before naturalisation, if they were already registered or if for some reason they were asked for the details repeatedly. It is worth remembering that EU citizens can be registered to vote in local and European Parliament elections, just not in general elections.