• You can only vote in an election or any referendum if you are included in the current Register of Electors. You may also have a reduced credit reference rating or problems obtaining credit if not registered.

 

Back to top

• The Register of Electors is maintained separately from the Council Tax liability file. They are separate lists containing information maintained for different purposes and notifying any council service including Finance for council tax liability will not add or change your details in the Register of Electors

 

Back to top

• As soon as possible after any change of address. A form is sent to every address annually (between September and November and must be returned with details of all eligible resident electors or names can be removed. Electors

 

Back to top

• A statutory timetable dictates when names are added, deleted or changed throughout the year. Between December and September the effective date of addition is usually the 1st Monday of the month but the closing date for applying to register is approximately three weeks earlier. Monthly updates do not take place in October and November as a canvass of all properties takes place each autumn to allow data to be collected for a new Register published by 1st December. See published list of Additions dates Click link "Getting Added to Register of Electors" below

Getting Added to Register of Electors 

Back to top

• All British, Commonwealth & European Union citizens over 17 years of age Resident at the address. Electors can vote when they become 18 but should register up to 12 months before their 18th birthday so that they can vote as soon as they become 18.

 

Back to top

• Students should register to vote at both their term time address and home address so that they have the option of voting in any election held in respect of either address. It is a criminal offence to vote more than once in any election

 

Back to top

• European Union citizens can vote in all local government elections and Scottish Parliament elections if they apply to register to vote. To vote in a European Parliament election an additional form is also required to be completed (only relevant in European Parliament election year) The form is available to download Click the link below

Downloadable Electoral Forms 

Back to top

• Notify the ERO of your address, previous name and new name in a signed letter. You do not need to register using the name on your birth certificate or passport and can register to vote by your commonly known name The form is available to download Click the link below

Downloadable Electoral Forms 

Back to top

• If the address for the period of your lease is your only residence then you should register here. If you have another address that you consider your main residence and at which you carry on the business of life you can register at that address but should notify the ERO (Electoral Registration Officer) of this other address in order that he knows why no-one is registered here.

 

Back to top

• A new Register of Electors is published by 1st December each year. Local parts of the registers are usually available to view in local libraries. See Places of Publication details Click the "Register Viewing and Statistics" link below.

Register Viewing and Statistics 

Back to top

• The ERO can require anyone who has information on properties in his area to supply information he needs to maintain the Register of Electors. This includes occupiers, tenants, owners and agents. Full names of occupiers, their nationality and previous addresses may be requested for this purpose

 

Back to top

• This is a list of electors’ names and addresses that can be sold to anyone and it can be used for any purpose. Electors can chose annually to withhold their name from the names listed in the Edited Register (called an “opt out”.)

 

Back to top

• For finding out who is entitled to vote in an election or referendum. For electoral purposes by political parties and candidates. Identifying people eligible for jury duty Credit Reference. Companies can purchase the register for checking credit applications. For detection of fraud and for law enforcement purposes. Anyone can look at the Register of Electors and can take hand written notes. It is a criminal offence to supply copies or use information from the Register for purposes other than set down in law.

 

Back to top

• The Register of Electors is not published on-line and name searches are not permitted. You can personally view the Register, under supervision, in my office and take hand written notes or ask to see the local part of the register in your library. See "Register Viewing and Statistics" link below.

Register Viewing and Statistics 

Back to top

• No. You need to apply to register to vote at any new UK address. Addresses of other ERO’s can be found at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk. You will be deleted as an elector at your current address as soon as the ERO knows you are no longer resident. British citizens who emigrate can still register to vote as Overseas Electors in UK Parliament elections for up to 15 years after leaving the UK. Forms are available from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk See Link below

About My Vote 

Back to top