Register of Electors - Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote?
Each year the Electoral Registration officer conducts a canvass
to ascertain who is entitled to be included in the register, a form
is delivered to all homes in the area. The canvass is conducted by reference to residence on
15th October each year. The resulting register is published
on the 1st December each year.
The Rolling Registration scheme allows
prospective electors to apply to be added to the register
throughout the year (apart from canvass time).
Who should respond to the canvass form?
We address the form to 'The Occupier' at each address, and a
responsible person should respond on behalf of all the occupants,
you should still register if you don't own the property, if
you rent. Whoever responds to the form needs to talk to the
other residents of the property and find out if they are eligible
to be registered and if they wish to opt
out. If they are eligible they need to be included on the
form.
Who is eligible to vote/Who should I put on the canvass form I
return?
You should add people's to the canvass form if 1), 2) and 3) are
true statements.
- 1) They are or are going to be resident at that address
on the 15th October of the current year. You do not have to
wait until the 15th October to return your canvass form if you
think circumstances at your address are not likely to change before
15th October.
- 2) The persons in question are over the age of 16.
If they are aged between16-18 you must add their dates of birth to
the form.
- 3) The persons in question are eligible citizens (see
eligible citizens question below)
The previous occupants details are on the form, should I
forward it on?
No, the form is actually addressed to 'The Occupier', simply
cross out the previous persons details and add your own on.
Who is an eligible citizen?
People are eligible to apply for voter registration
providing they are one of the following:
- They are a British or Commonwealth citizen.
- They are citizens of the Irish Republic.
- They are a citizen of another European Union country.
I am an EU citizen, how can I vote in European Parliamentary
Elections?
We are obliged to send some voters an additional form if they
wish to vote in the European
Parliamentary elections. This will apply to you if you
are from an EU country
outside of the UK, Commonwealth and Republic of
Ireland. We will send this form when we receive your annual
canvass form.
Can I ring up and find out where a lost relative lives?
If you ring up with a name and address we can confirm this for
you, if you only have a name unfortunately we can't provide
you with the address. We could tell you if they were
registered in our area though and you could come in to any of our
council offices and look through the electoral register.
If you live outside the area and it isn't viable for you to come
and look we could suggest you send a letter to us and we would
forward it on.
If I pay my council tax, will I automatically be included on
the electoral register?
No, Council tax and Democratic Services are two separate
departments and have two totally different systems. You
should inform us of any changes to your living arrangements.