Register to vote
To vote in an election, you must be on the electoral register (also know as the electoral roll).
For more information about registering to vote please go to our voter information site www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.
Who can vote?
The following people can vote:
- UK citizens
- qualifying Commonwealth citizens
- citizens of any EU country resident in the UK
- certain UK citizens that live or work abroad
For more information please visit our About my vote website.
The electoral roll
We don't keep copies of the electoral roll.
We often receive enquiries about the electoral roll (or electoral register as it is sometimes known). The electoral roll is held at your local electoral registration office (or council office in England and Wales). The Northern Ireland electoral register is held by the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland.
You can find contact details for your local office by entering your postcode on our About my vote website.
Changes brought about by the Political Parties and Elections Act
In July 2009, the Political Parties and Elections Act became law. The Act introduces a move from a system of household registration to a system of individual electoral registration in Great Britain.
Registration is the bedrock of the democratic process, and it’s important that electoral registers are as complete and accurate as possible – so everyone who is entitled to vote can, and no one is on the register who shouldn’t be.
We have been calling for this change for several years but such a major change can’t be done overnight. For it to be implemented in a way that puts the voter first will mean making sure people are aware of the change and what it means for them and providing comprehensive planning and support for electoral registration officers.
From 2011 onwards, we will report annually to Parliament on the progress of the voluntary collection of personal identifiers - National Insurance number, signature and date of birth - from electors, to make sure that the conditions are appropriate before any move to compulsory provision of identifiers. We will be working closely with those who maintain registers and run elections across the UK to increase the number of eligible people on the electoral register and to support the successful introduction of individual electoral registration.
For more information on other changes brought about by the Act - visit our dedicated page.
FAQs
Go to our FAQs for more information on registration and voting.
