Elections - electoral register
How we provide this service
Electoral register information - How to Register is supported by Legal and Member Services, Electoral Services.
The Electoral Register is the list of everyone in the District who is entitled to vote. It is published every year on 1st December and is also updated monthly.
Annual Registration
Between the end of August and the end of November the annual canvass takes place when a registration form is delivered to every property in the District, which must be filled in and returned. It is then collated to publish the final register on 1st December each year.
Rolling Registration
Legislation was introduced in 2001 which allows people to change their details on the Register of Electors when they move house instead of waiting until the next annual canvass.
If you have moved since the last annual canvass (October 2008), or you are not registered and wish to register to vote, then please contact the Electoral Services Section for an application to be registered form. Alternatively a copy is available below to download.
The timetable for adding names to the Register of Electors is as follows:
We get your form by .............................. Your details changed on
11 December 2008................................. 2 January 2009
9 January 2009 .................................... 2 February 2009
6 February 2009 .................................... 2 March 2009
10 March 2009 ...................................... 1 April 2009
7 April 2009 ......................................... 1 May 2009
8 May 2009 ........................................... 1 June 2009
9 June 2009 ......................................... 1 July 2009
10 July 2009 ......................................... 3 August 2009
10 August 2009 ...................................... 1 September 2009
Rolling registration is suspended during the annual canvass period from September to November each year.
In the run up to an election you will only be entitled to vote if your application is returned 11 working days prior to the election.
Access to the Register
Since 2002 everyone has had some choice about who can buy details of their name and address. There are two versions of the register - the full version and the edited version.
When you fill in your electoral registration form, you will be able to choose whether you want your details excluded from the edited register.
The Two Versions of the Register
The Full Register lists the name and address of everyone who is entitled to vote. It is a public document and anyone can look at it, but it is a criminal offence to supply or use copies for purposes other than those set down in law. More information is available at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
The main use of the full register is to show who can vote in elections and referendums. Credit reference agencies can use it, but only to check your name and address if you are applying for credit and for other purposes specified in law. It can also be used for the enforcement of criminal law and for the purpose of the prevention and detection of crime. The Register may also be used for the purpose of preventing fraud.
The Edited Register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. The edited register can be bought by any person, company or organisation and can be used for commercial activities such as marketing.
Email: elections@sholland.gov.uk
What to do to get this service
Fill in the Application to be Registered form. We can add your name to the Register of Electors, but you must fill in and sign the form yourself. If anyone else in your house is eligible to vote they must fill in a separate form.
This form should not be used between September and November when property registration forms will be delivered to every house in the District.
Who can apply?
To be included in the Register of Electors a person must :
- be resident at an address in the District on the date of application; and
- be 18 years of age or over on 1 December or during the 12 month period when the register is in force
- be a British, other Commonwealth, Irish Citizen or a citizen of another member state of the European Union
Citizens of European Union Member States (other than British and Irish) will be registered to vote at local elections. However, they may additionally make a separate application to register to vote at European Parliamentary elections.
A list of eligible Commonwealth and European Union countries
How much will it cost?
The full version of the Electoral Register and list of overseas electors is only available for sale to credit reference agencies and government departments who can only use it for purposes specified in law. The edited version of the Register, which omits the names of any electors who have requested to be excluded from this version, is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose.
The cost of purchasing electoral register information is as follows:
For data format - flat rate of £20 plus £1.50 for each 1000 entries (or remaining part of 1000 entries)
For printed format - flat rate of £10 plus £5 for each 1000 entries (or remaining part of 1000 entries)
The cost for purchasing the list of overseas electors is:
For data format - flat rate of £20 plus £1.50 for each 100 entries (or remaining part of 100 entries)
For printed format - flat rate of £10 plus £5 for each 100 entries (or remaining part of 100 entries)
How long will I have to wait for a response?
When we receive an application form to be registered we will send a letter confirming that the application has been processed, normally within 2 working days of receipt. However, acknowledgement letters will not be sent during the annual canvass.
How long will the whole process take?
A person's name will be added within 7 weeks of receiving the application, subject to no objections being received. If the application was received before the deadline for applications for that month the name will be added from the 1st of the following month, otherwise it will be added on the first of the next month.
There are special rules about names being added to the register during an election period. Because of this a person may not be able to vote at that election if they are added during this time.
Links to forms, leaflets and websites providing more information
Application to be Registered form
Electoral Commission
About my vote
Common Questions
Q. What is the electoral register?
A. The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who has registered to vote. The Register is published on 1st December each year and is updated monthly.
Q. Why should I register?
A. If you are not on the register you cannot vote. The register is also used by credit referencing agencies when assessing credit worthiness, people who are not on the register often experience difficulties opening bank accounts, getting credit, a loan or a mortgage.
If you have moved house since October 2008, and are eligible to register, you can apply to have your name added at your new address.
Q. How do I know if my name is on the electoral register?
A. Contact the Electoral Services Section giving us your name, address and postcode, or call in to the offices and ask to see the Electoral Register.
Q. Can I see a copy of the Electoral Register?
A. The full version of the Register is available at our offices for inspection under supervision during normal office hours. Anyone can inspect the register but no copies can be taken except by the making of hand written notes.
Q. What happens if I'm a citizen of a European Union Member State?
A. Citizens of European Union Member States (other than British and Irish) will be registered to vote at local government elections only and may additionally make a separate application to register to vote at European Parliamentary elections.
Q. What if I'm not able to vote in person at my polling station?
A. Anyone can now apply to vote by post. Also if you are unable to vote in person at your polling station at an election, you can apply for someone to vote as proxy for you. Contact us for more details or see the postal or proxy voting pages.
Q. Do I have to let you know if I move?
A. Yes, if you would like to register for your new address. If you don't let us know you have moved, you will still have to vote from your old address, provided that you were registered there, until the next register is published on 1st December.
Q. I am paying council tax at my new address? Can they update the electoral register for me?
A. No, the only way you can update your details on the electoral register is by filling in an electoral registration form.
Q. Why can't I get credit?
A. If you have been denied credit because your bank or credit reference agency are unable to verify your details of the electoral register, this is because the electoral register is often used for credit referencing purposes to counteract fraud. In this case, you need to contact electoral services for confirmation that you are registered. Sometimes the records maintained by credit reference agencies are incorrect - they should be able to supply you with a copy of your record so that you can check the details. If you have already provided confirmation that you are registered to your bank or credit reference agency, then any further problems will have to be taken up with them, not with electoral services.
Q. I am concerned about my name appearing on the register; can I register anonymously?
A. The Electoral Administration Act 2006 introduced the ability to register anonymously. Anyone who does not wish for their name to appear on the register can apply to the Electoral Registration Office to be registered anonymously, although good reason would have to be provided for this. Applicants would need documentary evidence of a Court Order or attestation from certain persons to support their application.
Anyone who has concerns about their name appearing on the electoral register should contact the electoral services section for further information.
Further Common Questions
Printed leaflets available providing more information
"Register to Vote" and "Who has my personal details?" leaflets published by the Electoral Commission are available in our reception area. The "Register to Vote" leaflet contains an application form and is available in English, Portuguese, Polish, Latvian and Lithuanian.
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Contact Details
If you have any queries about the information provided above, or require further information, please contact Customer Services on 01775 761161 or email info@sholland.gov.uk.
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Elections - postal voting
Elections - publishing results
Elections - voting by proxy
