Register of electors

You can only vote at elections if your name appears on the register of electors. It is much harder to obtain credit if you are not on the register.

If you have moved since October, changed your name or find that you are not registered to vote, you can get your details added or amended by completing a voter registration form. Please download a copy of the m and fill it in online. Once you have done this, please print it off, sign it and return it to us. As the annual canvass it taking place we have removed the Voter Registration form.

Monthly updates are not carried between September and December due to the annual canvass. This is when a registration form is delivered to every residential property to enable people to confirm, add, delete or amend their details. The dates for subsequent updates are shown on the voter registration notes. The new register is printed on 1 December each year.

The Electoral Register

There are two versions of the register:

• The full register lists everybody who is entitled to vote and only certain people and organisations (including credit reference agencies) can have copies of the full register.
• The edited register is available for commercial sale to any person or organisation wishing to purchase a copy and only lists those who have not asked to have their name removed.

Who can register?
You must be 18 during the life of the register, which runs from 1 December to 30 November the following year and a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen, or a member of a European Union state.

Anonymous Registration

People can now formally apply to be placed on the electoral register as anonymous electors. This means that the person's name and address would not appear on the electoral register but that they can still vote. In order to register, a person will need to provide evidence such as a court document or attestation from a suitable person.

Registration would need to be renewed annually, if the circumstances remain the same.

It is available to people where they feel that if their name or address were to be listed on the electoral register, their safety would be at risk possibly due to either domestic violence or their occupation. It is also for others in the same household as those at risk.

As a European Union citizen can I vote at all elections?
You can only vote at local elections. If you wish to vote at European Parliamentary elections you need to complete a EU voter form. You can fill it in online. Once you have done this, please print it off, sign it and return it to us.

I am a student registered at home, but attend college or university, can I register in both places?
Yes you can, students are entitled to register at both addresses. But it is illegal to vote twice at the same election.

This is my second home, can I register?
Yes you can. But it is illegal to vote twice at the same election.

I have let council tax know I have moved, does this information get passed onto Electoral Services?
No, to update your information you need to complete a voter registration form and send it to the Council Offices.

I have been refused credit because they say I am not registered. What can I do?
If your name is not on the register you need to complete a voter registration form. If, your name does appear a letter can be provided confirming this. You can show this to the organisation or company you are dealing with. We will not give your information to anyone other than you.

Can I buy a copy of the Electoral Register?
Yes you can, but you may only buy the edited register, which is available from Electoral Registration.