Voter registration
To vote in an election, you must be on the electoral roll.
Who can register to vote?
- Anyone aged 16 or over (but you cannot vote until you are 18).
- British or qualifying Commonwealth citizens. This means Commonwealth citizens who have leave to remain in the UK or do not require such leave.
- Citizens of the Republic of Ireland or other European Union (EU) member states.
Who can vote?
- British, Irish and qualifying citizens of Commonwealth countries (including Cyprus and Malta) can vote at all elections.
- Citizens of other EU member states resident in the UK can vote in local government elections but cannot vote in UK Parliamentary elections.
- Those resident in Scotland or Wales may also vote in Scottish Parliamentary or National Assembly for Wales elections.
FAQ
To find out what you can vote for, how to vote, and how to register visit our registration website, About my vote.
If you live in Great Britain, you should soon be receiving an annual canvass form from your Electoral Registration Office to update your registration details. Make sure you use this form rather than the registration forms available on our About my vote site.
Future changes in voter registration
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.
In response, we developed a set of key principles which we consider to be vital in underpinning the implementation of this policy.
The electoral roll
We don't keep copies of the electoral roll (also known as the electoral register).
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.
Read more...
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.
Hide
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.
