Frequently Asked Questions about the Electoral Register

On this page you will find all sorts of frequently asked questions regarding the electoral register.  Please click on a "quick link image" below to be taken directly to the information you need.

Register of Electors

The Register of Electors is a list of all the people eligible to vote who reside in the area.

The Register of Electors is published on the 1st December each year and is in force for the following twelve months. There are two versions of the electoral register - the full register and the edited register.

The Full Register - lists everyone who is entitled to vote. The register can be viewed under supervision at the council offices on Burcot Lane. Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the full register, and they can only use it for specified purposes. These include electoral purposes, the prevention and detection of crime and checking your identity when you apply for financial arrangements. The law says who can have a copy of the full register and what they can use it for. The full list of such persons and purposes is given in the Representation of the People (England & Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 which is provided by the OPSI website.

The Edited Register - leaves out the names and addresses of people who have asked for their names to be excluded from that version of the register. The edited register can be bought by anyone who asks for a copy and they may use it for any purpose. There are prescribed fees for the purchase of this register. To purchase this register please contact the electoral shared services office on 01527 881 421 or email: elections@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

For further information about the two versions of the register please read the Who has my personal details leaflet.

For more information about registration in general, please read the Electoral Registration fact sheet 

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How to & Who can register to vote ?

You can register to vote if you are:

• Aged 18, or will become 18, during the "twelve month life" of the Register of Electors
• A British or Commonwealth Citizen, or;
• A European Union Citizen

Click here to see the full list of eligible countries

You must

• Be a resident in the Bromsgrove area, or
• Have made a Service Voter Declaration or  
• Have registered as an Overseas elector 
• Other special category electors can also be included, please contact the Electoral Shared Services Office on 01527 881 421 should you have any questions   

The fact that you pay Council Tax DOES NOT mean that you will be automatically registered to vote.

For more information view the "Who Can Vote"? Leaflet

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How can I register to vote ?

The annual Canvass takes place each year between September and November.  We send a form to every household on our records asking for the details of current registrations to be checked, and updated where necessary. If the details have not changed you must still re-register by either calling the FREEPHONE telephone registration number shown on the form, by using the specified Internet registration site, by SMS text using the number shown on the form, or by signing the form and returning it to us by post. This will ensure that you remain registered.

Rolling Registration - you can apply to be added to the Register between December and August by completing an application to be registered, if you are the only person in your household who needs to register then you can complete an individual voter registration form, however if there is more than one person in your household who needs to register then you can complete a household voter registration form

You should always complete a registration form if you have moved house or are not registered.  It should be noted that even if you are listed for council tax this DOES NOT entitle you to be included in the Register of Electors, an application to be registered either as an individual or a household application form will still need to be completed. Once completed, send the form(s) to us and we will process your application(s) promptly.

There is a statutory timetable for adding names to the register. We will write to you to confirm that your application has been accepted once the necessary deadline has passed.

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When Will I Appear On The Register?

Following your initial registration you must ensure that you complete and return the Annual Canvass Form which will be sent to your property in August each year to remain registered.

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Why should I register on the Register of Electors ?

• If you are not registered at election time you will not be able to vote.
• Also, financial institutions use the Register of Electors for credit reference purposes and if you are not included you may find it difficult to obtain credit, open a bank account, purchase a contract mobile phone, or get a mortgage.
• It is your responsibility to register and it is in fact an offence to fail to do so. You can be fined up to £1,000 for failing to return your Annual Canvass form.

How do I change my address or name on the Register of Electors ?

Changing address - you can change your registration by completing either an Individual Voter Registration Form, or a Household Voter Registration Form.  We will inform the Council for your old address that you have moved in order that you can be taken off their records.

The fact that you pay Council Tax does not mean that you will be automatically registered to vote.

Change of name - if your name has altered since you registered you can alter your details by completing an Amendment to the Register of Electors Form.

How can I check that I am registered to vote at my current address ?

The Edited Register of Electors is available for public inspection at our Worcestershire Hub customer contact centre, which is located at the Dolphin Centre next to the swimming baths near Bromsgrove town centre or, you can call in to the Council House on Burcot Lane.  You can telephone us on 01527 881 421 or Email to check whether you are registered.  It should be noted that we may not be able confirm by telephone, or email if an individual has opted not to have their details disclosed to a third party.  When enquiries are received we will write to the individual elector concerned. 

How can I remove a name from the Register of Electors?

At the Annual Canvass held during September to November each year you can delete those electors no longer resident for the compilation of the Register of Electors published on the 1st of December.

At other times of the year electors may only be removed on notification of a death by the Superintendent Registrar, or by another Local Authority when an elector registers following a move of address.

Any notifications other than these will only result in a name being "suppressed", this will only prevent correspondence being sent out but will still allow an elector to vote at any elections during that 12 month period.

You are also able to object to both applications and entries on the Register of Electors at any time during the year. This can be your own entry or that of another elector. However there are strict regulations on making an objection which must be followed. Please read our Objection Guidance Notes. and download an Objection Form

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Can I register to vote if I live overseas ?

Yes! if you are a British citizen living outside the UK and you meet the criteria detailed below, you can register as an overseas elector. This will enable you to vote in Parliamentary elections and European Parliamentary elections in the UK.

In order to register you must meet one of the following two sets of conditions

• your name was previously on the electoral register for an address in the UK;
• you were living in the UK on the relevant qualifying date for that register; and there are no more than 15 years between that date and the date of your application,

or that

• you last lived in the UK less than 15 years before the date of the application;
• you were too young to be on the electoral register before you left;
• a parent or guardian was on the electoral register, for the address at which you were living;
• you are now at least 18 years old or will become 18 during the life of the register for which you are applying.

For more information view the Overseas Electors Leaflet, or download an Overseas Voter Application Form.

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How do I register to vote if I am in the Services ?

If you are a member of the armed forces or the spouse of a service person you can register:

• Either as an ordinary elector at your home address, using the monthly application form or the annual canvass form;
• Or, if you do not want to disclose your address on the register, by completing a Service Voter Application Form
• Either way, this will give you a registration for up to three years.  We have a duty to remind people who use a Service Declaration form to re-register before their three year's registration comes to an end.
  
  If you are a Crown Servant and or an employee of the British Council you can apply for an annual declaration in much the same way. Your department should make forms available to you, and the department should arrange for their transmission to us.

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How can I get Electoral forms in - large print / Audio / or different languages ?

Either contact Electoral Services on 01527 881 421, Email us, or visit the Electoral Commission website for further details.

How can I find my Member of Parliament?

Find My Local MP

How can I find my District/County/Parish Councillor?

Find My Local Councillor

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