Our annual electoral canvass

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm not interested in voting so why should I register?

You have to register to vote - it's the law. Whether you vote or not is your decision. Not being on the electoral register can affect your credit rating and make it difficult to obtain approval for things like mortgages, loans, credit cards or mobile phone contracts.
My partner is Russian. Do I need to add him/her to the form?

No, because they're not from a qualifying country. You must be British, Irish, or from another Commonwealth country, such as India or Canada for example. You can also qualify to vote if you're from an EU country. The full list of EU countries are listed on the back of the canvass form. If you have dual nationality you can be included. Likewise if they have taken British nationality – you will have a naturalisation certificate to this effect.
My child is at university. Should I include them on the form?

Yes, if this is still their main home. But they can also register to vote at university. You can be on the electoral register more than once - but you can only vote once in an election.
Should I tick the opt-out box if I want to avoid junk mail?

It can help. Companies often buy a copy of the edited register for marketing purposes. Not being on the edited register means that your name and address won't be shown. You can choose not to be on the edited register if you return your form by post or if you call us or register online. You can't opt-out if you register by SMS.

You can also opt-out of junk mail by registering with the Mail Preference Scheme.
I am only renting the property do I need to register?

Generally yes. This will also prevent you having problems in the future with possible credit ratings.
My partner is now living in a care home. What do I do?

Cross their name off the form and return it to us. We canvass care homes separately.
I'm French and want to vote here in the European Elections – what do I need to do?

Make sure you're registered. France is an EU country and you're entitled to vote. Add your name to the canvass form and state your nationality. You can call us for more details.
My child is 18 on 2nd November this year - do I include them on the form?

They should already be shown on the register as they should have been included with the date of their 18th birthday during last year’s canvass.

We need to add everyone who is eligible to vote - including those who turn 18 over the next twelve months.
My son/daughter is 16/17 – should I include his/her name on the form?

YES – all 17 year olds and 16 year olds who will be 17 by 1st December this year should be included on the new register. They may vote as soon as they become 18. Please do not disappoint them by missing their name off the form.
I do not want to be called for jury service – how do I avoid this?

If you're over 70, this column should be marked with an 'x' to indicate that you're not entitled to be called for jury service.

If for any other reason, you think you shouldn't be included for jury service, then you will have to explain why if you ever get called.

I am concerned that my ex-partner may be able to find me if I register?

You still need to register but you could consider registering under a different name; for example, your mother's maiden name. You could also tick the 'opt-out' option so you don't appear on the edited register.

In some circumstances, you can apply to register anonymously.
We spend 6 months of the year in Spain - do we need to register?

Yes - because the UK is still your main home and you spend a considerable amount of time here. You could also register as an overseas electors – but this means you can only vote in parliamentary elections.
The property is only lived in at the weekends as it is a holiday home. Do we need to register or return the form?

This is completely up to you. You can register at your main home and/or this holiday home. You can be on the electoral register more than once - but you can only vote once.
I am in the armed forces. Do I need to register?

You've got two options.

1. If you're stationed locally, at RAF Cosford for example, then you can still register at your home.

2. If you're moving around or regularly stationed abroad then you should look into applying for a postal vote or proxy vote.

External Links:

aboutmyvote.co.uk - Application Form

Register to vote – Voting information for members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and their families
We are moving to live abroad how do I still vote?

Delete your names from the form and return it to us and request an 'overseas electors' form. This will allow you to vote in Parliamentary elections. We'll post you a new canvass form each autumn.

British Citizens living overseas can still vote in UK Parliamentary and European Parliamentary Elections for 15 years after leaving the UK.

External Link: aboutmyvote.co.uk - Application Form

Word Document: overseas information (43 KB)
I'm a crown servant working abroad.

If you're working outside the UK as a Crown Servant or as an employee of the British Council, you can still register to vote. You can also register if you are married to a Crown Servant or British Council employee and you are accompanying them during their employment abroad.

An Application Form is available from the following link:-

External Link: aboutmyvote.co.uk - Application Form

Can I add my name(s) to the register on the internet/free-phone or by SMS text?

No. Our electronic registration methods such as freephone, text and internet are only for confirmations of existing electors - i.e there haven't been any changes since you last filled the form in.
Why should I send the form back when you know I live here?

It's a legal requirement to return the form. We're required to chase up non-responders.
I've had the wrong form delivered to my house?

Just post it back to us and we'll send you out a new form.
My postcode or other part of the address is wrong?

Simply make the change on the form and send it back to us. We will amend your address.
I live on a narrow boat – can I be registered?

Yes. We'll record you under your boat’s name at a mooring in our area. You can give a correspondence address so we can write to you, send poll cards etc.
I own a camper van and have no permanent address – can I still be registered?

Yes you can. You can still register to vote even if you do not have a fixed address.

To register, you need to fill in a form called a 'Declaration of Local Connection' by clicking on this form.

Declaration of Local Connection (73KB)

The form has the names of the previous residents of my house – should I forward them to you?

No. The form is meant for you and your household. Simply cross out their names on the form and add your name(s) on the blank lines, sign and date the form and post it back to us. We will delete the previous residents.
I don't want a postal vote but there is already a tick in the box against my name?

If you no longer want a postal vote, simply cross out the pre-printed tick, sign and return the form to us. We will remove your postal vote and you will be able to vote in person at your local polling station.
I expect to move home in the next few weeks – what should I do?

Wait until you are sure where you will be on the 15th October. If you're still at your current address then complete the form and send it back to us. If you've moved by this date, then leave the form for the new occupants and remember to complete the canvass form that is sent to your new address.