Electoral Roll - Registering to Vote

	Register to Vote

How do I register to vote?

The Register of Electors is a list of everyone in the District who is eligible to vote. Between August and October every year the Annual Canvass takes place and during this period a registration form is sent to every property in the District. Completion of this form is compulsory and failure to register is a criminal offence. This annual canvass is conducted based on where you are living on 15 October each year. Once this information is collected we publish a Revised Version of the Register of Electors by 1 December each year and you are only entitled to vote if your name appears on this Register.

Why should I register?

If you do not register, you will not be able to vote at any election. The Register of Electors is used by credit reference agencies to verify residency of persons applying for credit. It could be more difficult to get credit if you are not on the register. It is a criminal offence not to complete and return the annual registration form, or to provide inaccurate or false information; liable to a fine up to £1,000.

Who can register?

To be eligible for inclusion on the register, you must be:

• Over 18, or reach the age of 18 during the period in which the register is in operation (from 1 December each year to 30 November in the following year).
• A British or Commonwealth Citizen, a citizen of the Irish Republic or a citizen of the European Union.

All applications to be registered as an elector are subject to public inspection to allow for objections to be made in accordance with the Representation of the People Acts.

You may be asked to produce evidence to support any information you give.

Citizens of European Union countries resident in the District are entitled to register and vote at local elections (District, County and Parish) and also European Parliamentary elections. Separate arrangements are made to register members of HM Armed Forces; Crown Servants living abroad; Overseas Electors (British Citizens living abroad); people with no fixed address in the area who can register by means of a "declaration of local connection" patients in mental hospitals; and prisoners on remand.

How long will it take to be registered?

Anyone moving into the District or who is not registered to vote can register at most times during the year, through the "rolling registration" procedure by simply completing and returning an application form. Applications received by the Electoral Registration Officer by the following dates will be added to the register the following month (subject to no objections being received). There are no applications from September to December; this is due to the annual canvass. You will be notified in writing when your application has been allowed. We will also tell the Electoral Registration Officer for your previous address that you have moved so that they can remove you from their register. People who live at two homes (including students) may register at both addresses but may only vote once at the same election. If you wish to remain on the register for your old address then please explain why on your application form. There are special rules about electors being added to the register during an election period. Because of these you may not be able to vote at that election if you are added to the register during this time.

Do I have to let you know if I move?

No, it is completely up to you. If you don't let us know you have moved, you will still have a vote at your old address. Only the annual registration form update is compulsory.

Who has access to my personal details on the register?

Until 1 December 2002, anyone could buy a copy of the electoral register to use for any purpose. But the law was changed to give you some choice about who can buy details of your name and address. There are now two versions of the register:

• the full version and the edited version.

The full version contains the names and addresses of all persons resident in District to vote at local and/or national elections. Anyone can look at this register under supervision but it can only be passed on for certain purposes. These are electoral purposes, law enforcement and by credit reference agencies. Use by credit reference agencies is only to check your name and address if you are applying for credit and to help stop money laundering. You do not have a choice about your name and address being included in the full version of the register.

The edited register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. You can choose not to be on it by ticking the opt out box on the annual registration form, on a re-registration form.

How can I check whether my name is included in the register of electors?

The published register is available for inspection at the Council Offices in Stratford upon Avon and at local libraries. Another useful website is About My Vote

For further information please contact Democratic Support Services on 01789 260208 or by email at elections@stratford-dc.gov.uk or by fax on 01789 260244.