Registering to Vote
Register of Electors
You can only vote in elections if your name is on the Register of Electors. There are two ways to get your name on the Register. Firstly each year a house to house canvass is carried out in the autumn in order that a new register can be published on 1 December each year. The other method is that you can register under Rolling Registration which is updated each month except September, October and November when the annual canvas takes place.
The Register of Electors is a public document listing all registered and eligible electors at their qualifying address within the District. To register during the annual canvass you have to be resident at you property on the 15 October. Each household will receive an Electoral Registration Form during the Autumn canvass to enable you to put your name on this Register.
An application under Rolling Registration can be obtained from the Electoral Registration Office at the Council or by clicking on the link below. (Register of Electors claim form).
Versions of the Register
The Full Register
The Full Register has the names and addresses of everyone registered to vote and is updated every month. Anyone can look at it, but copies can only be supplied for certain purposes such as Elections and law enforcement. Credit reference agencies are also allowed to use the Full Register but only to check your name and address if you are applying for credit and to help stop 'money laundering'. Anyone who has a copy of the Register will be committing a criminal offence if they unlawfully pass on information from it. You do not have a choice about your name and address being included on this Register.
The Edited Register
The Edited Register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. You can choose not to be on it. It will be kept separate from the Full Register and will be updated every month. The Edited Register can be bought by any person, company, or organisation and could be used for different purposes such as checking your identity and commercial activities such as marketing. Anyone can buy a copy of this Register by contacting the Electoral Registration Office. The charge for the Register in data format is £20.00 plus £1.50 per thousand or part entries, and in paper format £10.00 plus £5.00 per thousand or part entries.
Rolling Registration
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 change your details within two to six weeks of receiving your form and will write to you when your application is allowed.
We undertake monthly updates except during the annual canvass period when all households have to register.
We will 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.
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.
Downloads
Download, print and complete this form to be included in the register of electors. (75.9 KB)
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