Second home voters
Some listeners to Laurence Reed's programme have emailed to disagree with my explanation of the rules relating to voters who register at their "second" home address in Cornwall.
The most important point is that it's an offence to try to vote more than once in any particular election - risking a £5,000 fine.
The second most important point is:
"It is for the local Electoral Registration Officer to decide in the light of an individual voter's circumstances whether they may be said to be resident at an address, and therefore eligible for registration. Electoral Registration Officers are required to consider each case on its own merits."
I'm aware of considerable anecdotal evidence that some second-home owners, whose primary residence is in a "safe" constituency, are actually encouraged by their political parties to register in marginal seats where their votes will make most difference.
The authority on this is the . Here's another quote from the rules:
"Being resident does not, however, require actual occupation..."
The law is clear about the number of votes a person can have (one) - but less clear about where that vote can be cast.
I'm ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Devon’s Graham Smith, blogging on news, views and some fresh insights into West Country life, particularly the way government works locally and nationally.
Comment number 1.
At 23rd Apr 2010, AccurateChronometer wrote:This is perfectly clear - you need not beat about the bush:
'However, it is unlikely that ownership of a second home that is used only for recreational purposes would meet the residency qualification. Ownership of a second home that a voter pays council tax on but is not resident in does not qualify them for electoral registration in that area.'
Source: The Electoral Commission at
Here's a more interesting and reliable source of information, with related links, than what you are offering with your private agenda obfuscation:
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Comment number 2.
At 25th Apr 2010, AccurateChronometer wrote:This looks very timely and interesting, Mr Smith. Time for you to do a serious piece of investigative journalism ?
'The KEVIN LAVERY CHALLENGE ' - ' General Election Cornwall 2010 – The Kevin Lavery Challenge - Put An End To Corrupt Conservative Party Vote Rigging In Cornwall ' :
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Comment number 3.
At 26th Apr 2010, Phil wrote:Letting rich people with second homes a choice of where there vote can be most effectively cast is clearly wrong. But as with every aspect of our unfair system nothing is done about it.
Second home owners may face a fine if caught voting twice but what are the chances of them being caught? Almost zero I suggest.
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