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Managing electoral registration services

Electoral registration guidance manual

We have produced a comprehensive guidance manual for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) across Great Britain. This replaces Managing electoral services. The manual also covers applications for absent voting, as Electoral Registration Officers have a duty to process these.

The manual only covers electoral registration in England, Scotland and Wales. It does not deal with electoral registration in Northern Ireland.

A full copy of the registration manual in both English and Welsh can be downloaded by clicking on the following links (please note they are large files):

We have also made the manual available for download in parts:

English version Welsh version
Managing electoral registration - Part A - Context (PDF) Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan A - Cyd-destun (PDF) 
Managing electoral registration - Part B - Entitlement to register (PDF)  Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan B - Hawl i gofrestru (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part C - The annual canvass (PDF) Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan C - Y canfasiad blynyddol (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part D - Monthly alterations to the register (PDF) Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan Ch - Addasiadau misol i'r gofrestr (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part E - Improving completeness and accuracy (PDF)  Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan D - Gwella cyflawnrwydd a chywirdeb (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part F - Special category electors (PDF) Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan Dd - Etholwyr categori arbennig (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part G - Absent voting (PDF)  Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan E - Pleidleisio absennol (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part H - Access and supply (PDF)

Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan F - Gweld y gofrestr a'i darparu (PDF)

Managing electoral registration - Part I - Accessibility and participation (PDF) Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan Ff - Hygyrchedd a chyfranogiad (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part J - Performance standards for EROs (PDF) 

Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan J - Safonau perfformiad ar gyfer Swyddogion Cofrestru Etholiadol ym Mhrydain 

Managing electoral registration - Index (PDF) Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol  - Mynegai (PDF)

Performance standards templates

We have developed a range of template plans to assist EROs in Great Britain in meeting the performance standards set by the Commission. You can download the templates as a complete set or in parts:

Supporting Electoral Registration Officers: performance standards template plans (complete set) (DOC)
Supporting Electoral Registration Officers: performance standards template plans (complete set, Welsh language version) (DOC)

Annual canvass

We have produced a range of support products for EROs and electoral registration staff to use during the annual canvass. 

The resources are intended to provide tools to support the management and delivery of the canvass, and the template format allows for local requirements to be incorporated into the individual products. The template materials consist of the following:

Resources to support the management of the canvass

We have also produced template press releases to help you raise awareness of the annual canvass through your local media. The press releases can be found on our Do Politics website.

Resources to support the briefing of canvassers

Welsh language canvass resources

Alternative language versions

The statement of the purpose of the annual canvass document is available in the following languages:

Rolling registration

Our rolling registration forms are available to download from our About My Vote website (with the Electoral Registration Officer's address pre-printed) and our electoral registration forms page (without the pre-printed address).

Practical advice on how to maintain a complete and accurate register throughout the year is provided in our electoral registration guidance manual.

Other resources for administrators and details on our public information campaigns can all be found on our Do Politics website.

Access and supply of electoral registers

Full register front covers

The following are template front covers for the full register, which provide information to those inspecting/purchasing/requesting a copy of the full register on how the register can be used and of the penalties they could face if they use the register for purposes other than those set out in legislation.

Staff guidance notes

Edited register front cover

The following is a  template front cover for the edited register, which contains information on the sale of the edited register and the 'opt out':

Designing electoral services

This document has been prompted by the challenges facing new unitary authorities in setting up new electoral services units. It outlines the factors and highlights common issues that should be considered in designing a new service. We recognise that there is no 'one size fits all' solution but we  explore the best practice methods of establishing an effective structure and provide information for additional help and guidance for those involved in the process.