Register to vote
Your name must be on the electoral register if you want to vote in an election.
The deadline for registering to vote in time for the 2023 local elections is Monday 17 April 2023. You'll also need to bring photo ID if you vote at a polling station.
If you've moved house since you last voted, you must register at your new address.
You can also update your name or nationality by registering again with your new details
You will need your National Insurance number and your date of birth - it only takes five minutes.
If you've registered to vote in the past and you've received a polling card, you don't need to register again unless you have moved house.
Did you know?
- You are not automatically registered to vote, even if you pay council tax or if you have registered to use other council services. And if you're not registered, you cannot vote.
- Being on the electoral register is required for getting a mortgage and other financial credit.
- It also improves your access to welfare benefits and gives you choices - for example, being on the electoral register will help if you apply for a mobile phone contract.
- You only have to re-register when you change your name and/or address.
- Your name can take up to six weeks to show on the register of electors depending on when you register to vote.
- The credit reference agencies receive a copy of all monthly updates and the full revised register so they can update their records.
The Government's Your Vote Matters website has more information about registering and voting.
Who can register?
You can register to vote if you are:
- 16 years old or over and a British citizen or an Irish, qualifying Commonwealth e.g. India or European Union citizen e.g. France and are resident in the UK.
- If you are 16 or 17, you can only register if you will be 18 within the lifetime of the electoral register. You cannot vote until you are 18.
More information
If you have any questions, please contact the electoral services team:
You may also be interested in
- Electoral Commission
- You can read more about the electoral register.
- Bite the Ballot educates, engages and empowers young voters.