Voter registration - frequently asked
questions
Am I registered to vote?
You can confirm your entry on the current register of electors
by contacting the Electoral Services Office. If you complete and
return a voter registration form you should be
registered.
If you move house or change your name then you should register
again. The electoral register is updated monthly between December
and September.
How do I register to
vote?
During December and August, you can download a voter registration
form or contact the Electoral Services Office to send
a form to you.
During mid August up until
November when we conduct the annual canvass, you will receive
a voter registration form. Ensure that all the names of
eligible people residing at your address are included on the
form.
Who can register to vote?
You can register to vote if you are:
- 16 or over (but you cannot vote until you are 18 years of
age).
- a British, Republic of Ireland or qualifying
Commonwealth citizen. Qualifying Commonwealth citizens are those
who have leave to enter or remain in the UK, or do not require such
leave.
- a citizen of a European Union country living in the
UK.
Having leave to remain does not make you
eligible to register, you nationality must be from one of the
eligible countries. See list of
eligible countries.
I am paying council tax, why
am I not on the register?
The electoral register is not updated automatically if you pay
council tax. This is because the criteria for registering are
different.
When you change address you need to notify the
Electoral Services Office in order to change your details on
the electoral register.
Why can't I get credit?
Registered credit reference agencies are entitled to a copy of
the electoral register and may use this data as one of the ways to
verify where someone lives when they apply for credit.
However, there are a number of other reasons why you may not be
able to get credit that are not to do with registering to vote. For
further guidance you should contact the relevant credit reference
agency.
What should I do if I change my name?
If you change you name, for example through marriage, you should
inform the Electoral Services Office so that your name can be
amended on the electoral register. You will be sent a change of
details form to complete.
What should I do if someone moves out of my property?
If someone has left your address, you should inform the
Electoral Services Office with the information by letter, email or
fax.
If I move abroad, can I still vote?
If you move abroad and you are a British citizen you are
entitled to register as an 'Overseas elector'. Find out more and download an
overseas application form.
I’m a student and I’m not sure where I should register to
vote?
Students can register at both their home address and their
university address. It is an offence to vote more than once in
a general election, but you can vote in both areas at local
elections.
I am 16 or 17, can I
register to vote?
Yes, you can register to vote, but you are not entitled to
vote until you are 18 years of years. If your 18th birthday is just
before or on the day of an election it is advisable to register now
so that you are able to vote on election day.
I have just turned 18 and want to register, how do I go about
it?
Follow the same process as ‘How do I register to vote?’.
Back to top
When can I register to vote?
You can register throughout the year as the register is
updated every month between December and September.
You can also register between September and November every year,
when the electoral services office delivers a voter registration
form to your home. This is when our annual canvass takes place.
If you move house or change your name then you should register
again. Download a voter registration
form.
I do not want my personal details to appear on the
register, what should I do?
The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) produces two versions
of the Electoral Register. The Full register lists
everyone who is entitled to vote. Only certain people and
organisations can have a copy of the full register. The
Edited register leaves out the names and addresses
of people who have asked for their details to remain confidential.
The edited register is available for general sale and can be used
for commercial activities such as marketing.
Your name and address will appear on the full register
automatically when you register, unless you choose, you
can opt out of the edited register on your application
form. To do this, tick the box marked 'Edited Register' on the
voter registration form.
Why do I need to register?
You need to be on the electoral register to vote in UK elections
and referenda. You are not automatically registered when you pay
council tax. If you receive a request to register from the
Electoral Services Office then you are legally obliged to respond.
If you do not respond, or if you provide false information, then
you could be liable to a fine of up to £1,000. In 2010 five
residents were fined £365 each for refusing to register.
Not being registered may also affect your credit rating.
Can I register to vote over the phone or using the
internet?
No. Online registration is only available during the annual
canvass period which is between August and November each year to
confirm existing details on our system. At all other times
registering online is NOT available. You will need
to download or request a voter registration form.
You can use the telephone or internet services during the annual
canvass period if there are no changes to the
information printed on your voter registration form, however, using
this service, you can still opt-out of the edited register and
request a postal vote application form.
Is the voter registration form available in large print,
Braille and other languages?
Yes. Please contact the Electoral Service Office for further
information.
If I have two homes can I register at both addresses?
Yes. People who have two homes are allowed to register at
both addresses. It is an offence to vote more than once in a
general election, but you can vote in both areas at local
elections.
How can I get a postal or proxy vote application form?
Contact the Electoral Services Office to obtain a form.
I am in the Armed Forces (Army, Navy or RAF) posted
abroad, how do I register to vote?
- Service personnel and their spouses posted abroad can register
to vote through making an annual service declaration application,
which is available from the electoral service office. This service
declaration must be witnessed by a British Citizen living
abroad;
- Service personnel can also register as an ordinary elector if
they have an address where they would normally be living if not
posted overseas. This can be done in the traditional way (as
described in the ‘How do I register to vote’ section).
I am concerned about my name appearing on the register, can I
register anonymously?
The Electoral Adminstration Act 2006 introduced the ability to
register anonymously. This regulation allows persons at
risk, or persons living in the same household as someone at
risk, to register anonymously. Applicants would need to provide
documentary evidence in the form of a court order or attestation
from certain persons to support their application.
This is not intended for people who do not want their
details on a register available for general sale.
Anonymous electors can vote in person, by post or by proxy
without their name or their address being identified.
How to contact us
Electoral Services
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 2BG
Show
map
Tel: 020 7364
0872
Fax: 020 7364 3758
Email: electoralservices@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Useful links