Electoral Register

What is the electoral register?

The electoral register is a list of the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote.

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 and is used for elections, preventing and detecting crime and checking applications for credit. There are now provisions to register anonymously if you can verify that your safety would be compromised by your name appearing on the register.

The edited register leaves out the names and addresses of people who have asked for them to be excluded from that version of the register. The edited register is available for general sale and can be used by anyone who buys a copy. The register may be used for any purpose.

In order to vote in an election your name must be on the register.

Who is eligible to register?

Any person who is 18 years and over and is a British, Commonwealth, Irish Republic or European Union member state citizen can register. You can also be added to the register when you are 17 and you will then be eligible to vote at any elections held after your 18th birthday.

Why register?

You are required by law to register. Failure to register can result in a maximum fine of £1000. Any person not registered will be unable to vote in UK elections and referendums. In many cases you must be registered in order to:

• Obtain credit
• Get a mortgage
• Open a bank account

How do I register?

You need to fill in a form. Most people will simply complete the form sent to their household every year (known as the 'A Form'). The A Form is issued in late August and must be returned as soon as possible in the envelope provided. If you don't complete and return the form you could be fined.

The form contains the name(s) of the person(s) currently registered to vote at that property (if any). These details may be correct or may well have changed since last year as a result of moving home, bereavement, change of name as a result of marriage or persons living at the property reaching 18 years of age.

I don’t need to make any changes. What should I do next?

If there is no change to the details held on the electoral register you simply need to sign and date the form and return it to us.

The details on the form are incorrect. What should I do next?

If you wish to add or remove names or make any other changes you will need to strike out any names not applicable and / or write the alterations / additions clearly on the form. One member of the household must sign and date the form and then return it to us.

What do I need to do if I move house?

If you move house between December and August, you will need to complete a different form (a rolling registration form) to register. We will then contact the Council in the area you moved from to let them know they can take you off their electoral register.

You can also request a rolling registration form if you didn't fill in the A Form when it was sent to your household. Rolling registration allows you to register at any time except between September and December, when the normal annual canvas is taking place.

Am I already registered?

You can find out by calling 01446 709748 or 709570, or emailing electoralregistration@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk