Register of Electors
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Register of Electors?
The Register of Electors is compiled and published by the
Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) in all local authorities on 1
December each year. It is a list of people who are eligible to
vote. The Rolling Register, introduced in February 2001, enables
people to register to vote as and when they change address.
Since 1st December 2002, the Electoral Registration Officer is
required to keep two versions of the register - the full
register and the edited register.
The full register lists everyone who is
entitled to vote. Only certain people and organisations can have
copies of the full register and they can only use it for specified
purposes e.g. for elections, law enforcement and credit
referencing. The full list of such persons and the purposes for
which they can use it are given in the Representation of the People
(England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002. It is a criminal
offence for them to pass it on to anyone else or use it for any
other purpose.
The edited register leaves out the names and
addresses of people who have asked for their details to be excluded
from that version of the register. This register can be bought by
anyone who asks for a copy and they may use it for any purpose.
When registering, electors will be given the choice of whether they
want their name and address included in the edited version or not.
To 'opt out' of the edited version of the register, electors should
tick the appropriate box on the registration form delivered to
their property.
What does the register look like?
The Register is published in address order. The roads are shown
in alphabetical order and in each road the names of eligible
electors are shown against the house number. It does not give
titles such as Mr., Mrs. etc. It does not show telephone numbers or
ages, other than those electors who will reach voting age during
the lifespan of that Register.
Where can I see the register?
The full Register of Electors is available for public
inspection, under supervision at the Council Offices, London House,
5-11 London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8HR.
Extracts from this register may only be
recorded by making hand written notes. Photocopying or
electronic recording are not permitted by law. Information taken
from this register should not be used for
commercial purposes, unless the information has been published in
the edited version of the register.
Why is the edited register not online?
The register can only be viewed at the Council offices under
supervision. There is no charge for this service as it is a
public document.
The edited register can be purchased from the council and the
cost depends on what information you require. We therefore
require you to either phone or visit to discuss your requirements
and we will charge you the appropriate fee.
Are there any regulations and legislations for me to read?
There is a lot of legislation available and this information can
be accessed by visiting the Electoral Commission
website.
The Annual Electoral Canvass
When is it held?
The Register, published on 1 December, is compiled using
information from registration forms issued to every residential
property in September. This includes every house, flat, bedsit,
houseboat and caravan. Homeless persons are also entitled to
register.
Each year some 60,000 reminder forms have to be produced.
Please help us cut costs by sending back the first
form.
If you have not received a form or mislaid it, you should
contact us directly. It is an offence not to supply the information
required, or to give false information. The maximum fine is
£1000.
Who is entitled to register?
You are entitled to register if you are able to satisfy the
following criteria:
- you are a British,
Commonwealth or Irish citizen, or a citizen of one of the
European Union Member States and you are or will reach the age
of 18 during the life of the Register - this means that anyone who
is 16 or 17 at the time of the annual audit should be included on
the registration form as they may become 18 whilst the Register is
in force.
Also include:
- lodgers or people staying at the address who have no other
home.
- anyone who normally lives at the address but is away
temporarily. This includes people in hospital, students, anyone on
holiday or working away for less than 6 months.
The annual audit is based upon circumstances as they stand on
15th October.When completing the registration form during the
autumn canvass, it is important that everyone who normally lives at
the address who satisfy the above criteria is included. Don't
forget to register anyone who is temporarily absent.
Special registration arrangements exist for British citizens
resident overseas, patients in mental hospitals, remand prisoners,
members and partners of the armed forces, Crown Servants and
British Council employees.
What if my name is missing from the register?
If you cannot find your name on the Register, or if you have
recently moved into the borough, you can request an Electoral
Registration Form. This asks for details of your full name, your
present address and when you started living there, and your old
address. A separate form needs to be completed by each person
who must sign his or her own form.
Electoral Services will issue a monthly update, called a "List
of Alterations". These will be published every month except for
October and November. The December list is the next full Register
of Electors.
When we receive your form, and if everything is in order, your
name will be shown in the List of Alterations. Your details will
take between two and six weeks to be added to the Register
dependent on when your form is received.
You will be sent an acknowledgement from the ERO when you have
been added to the Register.
What about Credit Ratings?
The Register of Electors is public information and purchased by
Credit Reference Agencies. They then supply details to financial
institutions who supply items on credit and/or lend money. If you
are not on the Register of Electors and should be, you are likely
to experience difficulties in obtaining such services.
Can I Register Twice?
You can register for more than one address. If you are a student
studying away from home, at college or university, you can register
to vote at both
your home and term-time address.
You can also register for two addresses if you have a second
home and live there regularly.
Both students and those with a second home have the right to
vote in respect of both addresses at the time of a local election
but must choose only one address to vote in respect of when
parliamentary elections are held.
Junk Mail
Not everyone likes junk mail. By not including your name in the
edited register, this should cut down the amount of junk mail that
you receive.
However, if the problem still persists you can write to the
following address to ask for it to be stopped:
The Mailing Preference Service,
Freepost 22,
London W1E 7EZ