Registering to vote
You can only vote in elections if your name is on the register of electors. We update the register every autumn. But we can also add names throughout the year.
It is each person's individual responsibility to ensure that they are registered to vote. The electoral register is not linked to Council Tax or any other official records.
Moved home? Coming up to 18? Just not on the register?
All you have to do is fill in a voter registration form. You have to sign your own form; someone else cannot do it for you. When you send us your form we will add you to our list of new applications. Any elector can then object to your name being added to the register. If this happens we will write to you. If your application is not objected to, we will write and tell you when your application is allowed.
Please note that the deadline to register for an election is now 11 working days before the day of the poll. There are special rules about names being added to the voters list during an election period. Because of these you may not be able to vote at that election if you are added during this time.
We will also tell the Electoral Registration Officer for your old address that you have moved, so that your name can be removed from that register. People who live at two homes (including students) are allowed to register at both. If you do not want to be removed from your other address please explain why on your form.
Edited register - two versions of the register
The electoral registration officer makes and keeps two versions of the electoral register - the full register and the edited register. You should tick the box on the front of the voter registration form if you want your name to be excluded for the edited register.
The full register lists everyone who is entitled to vote. Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the full register, and they can only use it for specified purposes. These include electoral purposes, the prevention and detection of crime and checking your identity when you have applied for credit.
The edited register leaves out the names and addresses of people who have asked to be excluded from that version of the register. The edited register can be bought by anyone who asks for a copy and they may use it for any purpose.
Anonymous Registration
Where people fear for their safety, anonymous registration is now available provided very strict conditions are met, in addition to the normal legal requirements to be on the electoral register (age, nationality, residence, not disqualified). Evidence of these can be asked for.
If you require any further information please use any of the numbers on the contact tab above.