Elections - Electoral Register

Who can register to vote?

• Anyone 16 or over (but you cannot vote until your 18th birthday)

• British or Commonwealth citizens

• Citizens of the Irish Republic or other European Union (EU) countries

Citizens of EU countries other than the UK or Irish Republic cannot vote in Westminster parliamentary elections, and must fill in a separate form to vote in European parliamentary elections.

All you have to do is fill in a voter registration form, you can download the relevant form below. All persons listed must sign opposite his or her name, anyone who does not sign cannot be added to the Register. We will also tell the Electoral Registration Officer for your old address that you have moved so that your name can be removed from that register. If you do not want to be removed from your other address please explain why on your form.

With 'rolling registration' now in force, it means that the register is updated every month instead of once a year. However, applications need to be received several weeks before publication to guarantee inclusion and these dates are . When you send us the form we will add you to our list of new applications. Any elector can then object to your name being added to the register; if this happens we will write to you. If your application is not objected to, we will change your details within 2 to 6 weeks of receiving your form and we will write to tell you when your application is allowed. Please note that in the "run-up" to an Election you will only be able to vote at that Election if your name has been added to the Register of Electors eleven working days before the Election.

The 'Rolling Registration' dates for 2009 are:

An annual canvass still takes place every autumn to ensure the register is up-to-date. There is no monthly update during September, October or November during the annual canvass period when all households have to register. A new Register is published on 1 December.

The full register lists the name and address of everyone who is registered to vote. The council holds a copy. Anyone can look at it, but it is a criminal offence to supply or use copies for purposes other than those set down in law. More information is available at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

The main use of the full register is to show who can vote in elections and referendums. Credit reference agencies can use it, but only to check your name and address if you are applying for credit and for other purposes specified in law. It can also be used for law enforcement and Audit Commission data matching for the prevention of fraud. Further information on sharing information with other bodies and Government agencies can be found here.

The edited register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. The edited register can be bought by any person, company or organisation and can be used for commercial activities such as marketing. If you want to opt out of having your details appear on the edited register, please indicate this on the form.

The full Register can be inspected at the City Council offices and at the county library.

How to get in touch with us:

Electoral Services Unit Winchester City Council Freepost WH74 City Offices Colebrook Street WINCHESTER Helpline: 01962 848125

e-mail: ereg@winchester.gov.uk

Downloads:

File format	File title	File size / Download time
	Voter Registration Form	57K 56Kbps Modem: 8 Seconds Broadband: 1 Second
	Canvass form (to be used September to December 2008)	336K 56Kbps Modem: 49 Seconds Broadband: 2 Seconds