Register to vote

Please note - if you have received your poll card, or if you voted while living at the same address at the last elections, you don't need to register to vote again.

Your name must be on the electoral register if you want to vote in an election.

If you've moved house since you last voted, you must register at your new address.

You can also update your name or nationality by registering again with your new details.

You will need your National Insurance number and your date of birth -  it only takes five minutes.

If you've registered to vote in the past and you've received a polling card, you don't need to register again unless you have moved house.

And don't forget, if you're voting at a polling station you must take photographic ID. Check which forms of ID are accepted and how to apply for free ID if you don't have any.

Register to vote

Important information for students

If you're a student, you may be able to register to vote at both your home address and your term-time address. However, this does not necessarily mean that you can vote more than once in elections taking place on the same day.

Find out more about voting as a student on the Electoral Commission website.

 

Did you know?

  • You are not automatically registered to vote, even if you pay council tax or if you have registered to use other council services. And if you're not registered, you cannot vote.
  • Being on the electoral register is required for getting a mortgage and other financial credit.
  • It also improves your access to welfare benefits and gives you choices - for example, being on the electoral register will help if you apply for a mobile phone contract.
  • You only have to re-register when you change your name and/or address.
  • Your name can take up to six weeks to show on the register of electors depending on when you register to vote.
  • The credit reference agencies receive a copy of all monthly updates and the full revised register so they can update their records.

The Government's Your Vote Matters website has more information about registering and voting.

Who can register?

You can register to vote if you are:

  • 16 years old or over and a British citizen or an Irish, qualifying Commonwealth e.g. India or European Union citizen e.g. France and are resident in the UK.
  • If you are 16 or 17, you can only register if you will be 18 within the lifetime of the electoral register. You cannot vote until you are 18.

More information

If you have any questions, please contact the electoral services team:

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