How do I Register?
Registering is a legal requirement that puts you on the electoral register. This enables you to:
- Vote at elections, and
- Apply for credit
You must be aged 16 or over, and one of the following:
- a British citizen, or
- an Irish or EU citizen living in the UK, or
- a Commonwealth citizen who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission.
You can register to vote at GOV.UK (voter registration).
You will need to fill in your name, address and date of birth. You will also need your National Insurance number. This can usually be found on documents such as payslips, or letters about pensions, benefits or tax credits. Alternatively, you can use GOV.UK (NI Number) to search for your National Insurance number.
After you Register
Completing the online registration starts the registration process. It doesn't instantly add you to the electoral register, but within a few days, you will be sent confirmation that you are on the register.
For more information please visit GOV.UK (how to vote) or contact the Electoral Services Team via e-mail: ElectionsOffice@cannockchasedc.gov.uk
- Electoral Register
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About the Electoral Register
The electoral register is the list of everyone who is entitled to vote. It is updated every year using the details from the registration form you receive each autumn from your Electoral Registration Office.
Now there's also a rolling registration which is updated every month. So, if you've moved or have been missed off the register, you can get your new details put on to the local register much quicker.
There are two registers. Why?
Using information received from the public, registration officers keep two registers - the electoral register and the open register (also known as the edited register).
By law, everyone who is a British, Commonwealth, Irish or European Union citizen must be included on the full electoral register. Anyone can look at the full register but copies can only be supplied for certain purposes such as elections and law enforcement. Credit reference agencies are also allowed to use the register but only to check names and addresses of those applying for credit.
The electoral register
The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as:
- detecting crime (e.g. fraud)
- calling people for jury service
- checking credit applications.
The open register
The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.
You can find more information about both registers and how they may be used on GOV.UK (electoral register)
Your personal information
We will only use the information you give us for electoral purposes. We will look after personal information securely and process it in accordance with data protection legislation. We will not give personal information about you and the other people in your household to anyone else or another organisation unless we have to by law.