Running electoral registration - Wales

What must be included in an application made by a declaration of local connection? 

An application to register by making a declaration of local connection must include all of the following:1  

• the applicant’s full name
• the address in respect of which the applicant applies to be registered
• any address where the applicant has ceased to reside in the 12 months prior to the date of the application and, where that address is not in the UK, an indication of whether that person was registered as an overseas elector during this period.
• an indication of whether the applicant is resident at any other address, including any address where the applicant is currently registered and claims to be entitled to remain registered
• the applicant’s date of birth or, if unable to provide this information, the reason why they are not able to do so and a statement as to whether the applicant is under the age of 16, aged 16 or 17 or aged 18 or older2 or aged 76 or over
• the applicant’s National Insurance number or, if they are they are not able to provide this, the reason they are not able to do so. This does not apply where the applicant is under 16 years old
• the applicant’s nationality or nationalities or, if they are not able to provide this information, the reason they are not able to do so
• an indication of whether the applicant requests their name to be omitted from the edited register. A person under 16 years old is automatically opted out of the edited register. The details of any person under 16 years old must not be included in any version of the published register, including the edited register
• a declaration that the contents of the application are true
• the date of the application
• the appropriate declaration

The application form must also provide space for their most recent previous name3 (if they have one) and an explanation that providing this information is not mandatory but may help in verifying their identity and that if it is not provided, additional personal information may be required.

A declaration of local connection must be signed and dated by the applicant and state:4  

• the applicant’s full name
• the address to which correspondence can be delivered or a statement confirming that they are willing to collect correspondence from the ERO
• the category in which their declaration falls, e.g. mental health patient, remand prisoner or person of no fixed address
• in the case of a person of no fixed address, the address of, or near, a place where they commonly spend a substantial part of their time
• in the case of a prisoner on remand, the name and address of the place where they are detained, as well as the address at which they would be residing if they were not detained. If they are unable to give such an address, an address at which they have previously resided
• in the case of a mental health patient, the name and address of the mental health hospital, as well as the address at which they would be residing if they were not a patient. If they are unable to give such an address, an address at which they have previously resided
• in the case of a person under 16 years old who is or has been a child looked after by a local authority or is being kept in secure accommodation, an address in Wales at which they have previously resided5
• that they have attained 18 years of age or, if not, their date of birth.
• that they are a qualifying foreign citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a citizen of a European Union member state

Where a declaration of connection is made by a person under 18 years old for the purposes of registering in the local government register, the address given where they would be living if it were not for their current situation, or where they have lived in the past or spend a substantial amount of time, must be an address in Wales.6

At a by-election to the UK Parliament or Senedd, any declaration of local connection made by a homeless person received during the period from the date of the vacancy to the close of nominations must include a statement that the applicant has spent a substantial part of time during the past three months at or near to the address at which they claim to be entitled to be registered.7  

If a person makes a declaration of local connection stating more than one address, or makes more than one declaration on the same date and stating different addresses, the declaration or declarations will be void.8