Forums Forums Local News voting registration notice

Received in the post from the Electoral Registration Officer
a form confirming voter registration 2014 and asking me to check that that the details in this letter about who is registered to vote at this address.
Question I ask is has the format of your first name been your Christian name and you last name been your Surname altered in this country. The letter shows my first name as my Surname and my Christian name been my last name.

'Christian' names went out with the Cultural Diversity strategy, a number of years ago. Probably early 2000's . Replaced by 'First Name'. No doubt because there aren't many who would want to be recognised as Christians, in this country now.

As for the 'Surname' , it could be an extension of the same principles, and could be the reason why so many baby 'Mohammed's were born last year. Mohammed's have another name also but write their first names as Mohammed.... which in our culture would be our second or Surname.

If that makes sense, and please note 'could be', as it's just a suggestion.

It would be wise to call them and ask, as I imagine you don't want to change your identity.

We got that form today in same format and as it says on the letter I went online to see if I could correct it. Surprise,surprise all details are correct. Looks like the form they have sent out is wrong and on Monday their phone lines will explode with folk (including me)ringing them.

I really do not see the 'issue'. Are we not listed that way on the list at the polling station?

I imagine the 'surname first' format is simply because, if you have people with more than one surname living at the same address, that makes it easier to sort them out?

Mine always calls me "The Occupier".

same here.

The envelope is addressed to the occupier. The letter enclosed has three columns headed;
First Name , Last Name, The way you have chosen to vote.

Under first name e.g is Jones and under 2nd name is Davy

The first two columns are clearly incorrect.

Ah, I see! Yes, someone has goofed, haven't they! Slap on the wrist for the proof-reader... oh wait, they probably haven't got one any more due to cuts. Hmph.

Dont see an issue really, yes a mess up but sure they will know and rectify, presume you are registered if names are correct (even if wrong way round).

Dont understand what loads of people phoning will achieve?

Someone is being paid a good salary and going to get a good pension. All he/she has to do is do the job properly and get it right. When you're dealing with beurocrats it's the fact that they will bomb you out if the forms aren't filled in correctly as laid down in their manual. You could turn up to vote and be barred because it's not exactly as laid down. If you don't want to check yours then fill your boots, leave those who want to make sure to do so.

I vote every time, I honestly don't think it's a BIG issue.

I still fail to see how if everyone phones to complain what it achieves?

Just dug it out the bin, I shall always be nameless :-)

Some in there comments are saying they don't see an issue.The form does not state surname, be it first or last. That's the issue.

Goto
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
and add your name the way it will accept it.