Applying for a copy of the electoral register and the lists of absent voters
Copies of the electoral register and lists of absent voters can be obtained from the relevant Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). EROs are appointed for each local council area, to maintain the electoral registers. You can find their contact details on our website.
The request must be made in writing1
and we have made a register request form and an absent voters’ lists request form available for this purpose.
While requests must be made to the ERO, election agents for a party list and individual regional candidates should also liaise with the Regional Returning Officer, who may have put arrangements in place to coordinate requests for all the registers and lists in the region.
The register and lists will be supplied in electronic format unless a paper copy is specifically requested.
The version of the electoral register and lists you will receive will be the ones current at the time of your request. You may also request the updates to the electoral registers and lists that are published in the lead-up to the poll, including the list of newly registered electors when it is published five working days before the poll.
The Convener of the EMB has issued directions to ROs on the timing of the first and final updates of the electoral register. The directions are available on their website.
Requesting the electoral register outside of the election period
Political parties and elected representatives are also entitled to request a copy of the electoral register outside of the election period.
Guidance on what information can be requested, when and how it can be requested, and the permitted uses of that information can be found in our factsheet: