Register to vote

You cannot vote in UK elections or referendums, if you are not registered to vote. 

You may also experience difficulties when applying for a mortgage or other forms of credit, including opening bank accounts and applying for a mobile phone contract. Credit reference agencies use the electoral register when assessing a person’s credit worthiness. You only need to register if you are not already registered. If you have moved house since you last voted you must register at your new address - paying council tax does not mean you are registered to vote.

The electoral register is published on 1 December each year and is updated every month except for October and November.

You can register to vote at elections up to 12 working days before the polling day.

 

Who can register to vote?

• you're 18 years old (16 and 17 year olds can only register if they'll be 18 within the lifetime of the electoral register)
• you're a British, Irish, European Union or Commonwealth citizen

You can also use this service to inform us if:

• update your name, address or other details on the electoral register

• change your voting preferences (for example to vote by post)

• change whether you're on the open register